Returning home

You or your loved one are ready for discharge home.

You may not actually be ready but the case manager tells you that your time is up and a discharge order has been placed. Unfortunately, insurances are covering less days in the hospital and post acute care. Hopefully, if you are in a rehab center, you will be given at least a few days notice. Now lets go over the discharge game plan.

Prior to discharge questions that need to be answered:

Where will you be discharged to, yours or a loved one?

Do you have a key to enter ( you'd be surprised). Is your home able to accommodate any mobility or safety needs, such as removing obstacles or setting up handrails if necessary.

What do I need?

Durable Medical Equipment (DME) is the fancy name for the equipment that insurance covers. Your discharging physician should order the equipment that you need. See the list below for common ordered equipment.

Durable Medical Equipment (DME): Many insurance plans cover a range of durable medical equipment, which includes items that are typically used for medical purposes and are expected to last for an extended period. Fun fact if you have received DME in the past five years you may not be eligible for new equipment.

Examples of DME that insurance may cover include:

Wheelchairs

Hospital beds

Oxygen equipment

Home Health Equipment (blood pressure monitors, glucose meters, incontinence supplies)

Prosthetic Devices

Nebulizers

CPAP machines

Mobility Aids- Canes, crutches, or walkers

Medical Supplies-wound dressings, catheters, and ostomy supplies

What services will my insurance cover?

First step is to decide between outpatient therapy vs home health care. In our opinion if you are able to attend an outpatient therapy center that is the way to go. You will be able to have more intensive rehabilitation sessions. In our experience home health care theoretically sounds good but in reality in not all it's cracked up to be. We’ve had patients where we order home health care, the company sees them three times and that's all they get. Important to note is that you can’t have home health care and outpatient therapy at the same time. For example, if you have a wound and require nursing care at the house you will need home health care and not be eligible for outpatient therapies.

Theoretical what home health can provide and of course varies by your insurance.

A wide range of medical, therapeutic, and personal care services provided to individuals in the comfort of their own homes. The specific services covered can vary depending on the patient's needs, their insurance coverage, and the regulations in their region. However, here are some common services that home health care can cover:

Monitoring vital signs

Administering medications

Wound care

Catheter care

Post-surgical care

Managing chronic illnesses (e.g., diabetes, heart disease)
Speech and language rehabilitation

Swallowing therapy

Cognitive therapy
Medication reminders

Medication administration by a nurse if needed
Rehabilitation exercises

Mobility training
Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, and eating

Adaptive equipment training

Home safety assessments
Personal care, including bathing, grooming, and toileting

Assistance with mobility

Meal preparation and feeding

Light housekeeping

It's important to note that to receive home health care services, a patient typically needs a referral from their physician, and the services must be deemed medically necessary. Example if you walk around the hospital going over 600ft , you probably don’t qualify. Additionally, coverage and eligibility for home health care services can vary based on the patient's insurance plan, Medicaid, Medicare, or other sources of funding. Patients and their families should check with their healthcare providers and insurance companies to understand what specific services are covered and any out-of-pocket costs they may incur.

Discharge Day

Discuss your discharge plan with your healthcare team, including your doctor and nurse. Make sure you understand the plan and any necessary follow-up care.
Review your medications with your healthcare team. Ensure that you know what medications you need to take, the dosage, and the daily hour-by-hour schedule. Ask for written instructions. Repeat back to them what they have said to ensure you have full understanding.
Obtain any new prescriptions and confirm that you have a supply of medications to last until your next follow-up appointment.

Confirm your preferred pharmacy with your medical team to ensure the medications will be available for pick up or mailed to your home.
Create a medication schedule or set reminders on your phone to help you remember when to take your medications.
Request copies of your medical records, test results, and any imaging studies (e.g., X-rays, MRI, CT scans) for your personal records and future reference.
Schedule any necessary follow-up appointments with your primary care physician or specialists before leaving the hospital.
If you'll receive home health care services or need durable medical equipment at home, make arrangements for delivery and setup.
Ensure you have all your personal belongings, including clothing, shoes, toiletries, and any valuable items.