How do I know what is right for me?
As you know, life doesn’t always go according to plan. A fall or accident can happen at any time. Maybe you, your spouse, or maybe a parent has sustained an injury and has to go to the hospital. The physician recommends skilled care to get strong enough to go home. How do you decide where to go? What are your options? What choices do you have?
The first thing to consider is your insurance. Medicare Part A covers your skilled stay days 1-20 at 100% for each benefit period. Starting on day 21, there is a co-insurance cost per day. If you have a Medicare replacement plan, you may have fewer options of skilled rehab facilities to choose from. With a Medicare replacement plan, you’ll need to make sure your preferred community is in network. A preauthorization is often required, which can slow the discharge process down. Nearly all skilled rehab communities are able to quickly admit a patient with Medicare Part A.
Many skilled rehab options across the metro are capable of providing therapy for seven days a week, in both the morning and afternoon. You are the deciding factor of where you or your loved one would like to discharge from the hospital to. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have a requirement that you must receive options for a skilled stay. No one should be making a statement such as “we are sending you here” or “this is where you need to go.” The choice and authority to make that decision is yours alone. Don’t be afraid to ask for options and call around to communities you may be interested in.
Any skilled rehab program will have to review and accept you or your loved one, but you can request your information be sent for review to any rehab center. No one is able to determine where you can or cannot go, as that decision is yours, and dependent upon the requirements and availability of the skilled rehab community. If you are in a situation, where you feel like you are not given any options, please remember to ask for them.
Do your research and decide on what is best for you and your family. Reach out to different skilled rehab programs and ask questions. There is always someone to help you with the process. It’s important that you feel comfortable with the community or center you or your loved one will be staying. Be informed, do your research, and feel good about your healthcare choices.
Stephanie P. is the Administrator at Valley View Village
