Choosing a Rehabilitation Unit

Choosing a rehabilitation facility

Rehabilitation services are provided in many different places, including the following:

• Acute care and rehabilitation hospitals

• Subacute facilities

• Long-term care facilities

• In the home by home health agencies

• Hospitals

• Inpatient rehabilitation centers

• Outpatient rehabilitation centers

• Community health settings

• Private practice

• Schools

• Industrial health centers

• Veterans Affairs medical centers

• Military health care centers

When investigating rehabilitation facilities and services, some general questions to ask include the following:

• Does my insurance company have a preferred rehabilitation provider that I must use to qualify for payment of services?

• What is the cost and will my insurance company cover all or part of the cost?

• How far away is the facility and what is the family visiting policy?

• What are the admission criteria?

• What are the qualifications of the facility?

• Is the facility well maintained, clean, and safe?

• Has the facility handled treatment for this type of condition before?

• What are the staff's credentials?

• Is therapy scheduled every day? How many hours a day?

• What rehabilitation team members are available for treatment? How is the patient and family included in planning care?

• What type of patient and family education and support is available?

• Is there a doctor on site 24 hours a day?

• How are emergencies handled?

• What type of discharge planning and assistance is available?

• What can be done if care is unsatisfactory?