How to Find the Right Medical Rehab Services

New York Times

2 days ago

Rehabilitation therapy can be a godsend after hospitalization for a stroke, a fall, an accident, a joint replacement, a severe burn, or a spinal cord injury, among other conditions. Physical, occupational and speech therapy are offered in a variety of settings, including at hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and at home. It's crucial to identify a high-quality, safe option with professionals who are experienced in treating your condition.
What kinds of rehab therapy might I need?
Physical therapy helps patients improve their strength, stability and movement and reduce pain, usually through targeted exercises. Some physical therapists specialize in neurological, cardiovascular or orthopedic issues. There are also geriatric and pediatric specialists. Occupational therapy focuses on specific activities (referred to as 'occupations'), often ones that require fine motor skills, like brushing teeth, cutting food with a knife and getting dressed. Speech and language therapy help people to communicate. Some patients may need respiratory therapy if they have trouble breathing or need to be weaned from a ventilator.
Will insurance cover rehab?
Medicare, health insurers, workers' compensation and Medicaid plans in some states cover rehab therapy, but plans may refuse to pay for certain settings and may limit the amount of therapy you receive. Some insurers may require preauthorization, and some may terminate coverage if you're not improving. Private insurers often place annual limits on outpatient therapy. Traditional Medicare is generally the least restrictive, while private Medicare Advantage plans may monitor progress closely and limit where patients can obtain therapy.
Should I seek inpatient rehabilitation?
Patients who still need nursing or a doctor's care but can tolerate three hours of therapy five days a week may qualify for admission to a specialized rehab hospital or to a unit within a general hospital. Patients usually need at least two of the main types of rehab therapy: physical, occupational or speech. Stays average around 12 days.
How do I choose?
Look for a place that is skilled in treating people with your diagnosis; many inpatient hospitals list specialties on their websites. People with complex or severe medical conditions may want a rehab hospital connected to an academic medical center at the vanguard of new treatments, even if it's a plane ride away.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.