Family Transition Link(513) 226-9052

    Who we help · Any age

    Care after surgery or a hospital stay

    A hospital discharge can come with a day's notice. Whether your loved one is 35 or 85, the next few days decide where they recover and who pays for it. Here is how the options work and what to ask before anyone leaves the hospital.

    This page is for families dealing with

    • Joint replacement, back surgery or heart surgery
    • A stroke, serious infection or new diagnosis
    • A fall or fracture
    • Cancer treatment that has left someone weak
    • A long ICU stay

    The four common next steps

    How it's usually paid

    With Original Medicare, a nursing home rehab stay is covered only after a qualifying inpatient hospital stay of at least 3 days in a row. Time spent "under observation" or in the emergency room doesn't count, even overnight. In 2026, days 1–20 cost $0 after the Part A deductible ($1,736), and days 21–100 cost $217 a day.

    Medicare pays $0 for covered home health visits when a doctor certifies the person is homebound and needs part-time skilled care.

    Under 65? Most people have employer, Marketplace or Medicaid coverage, and each plan has its own rules, usually including prior approval. Call the number on the insurance card before discharge and ask what the plan covers for rehab and home health. Some people under 65 do have Medicare: those who've received Social Security disability benefits for 24 months, and people with ALS or kidney failure (Medicare.gov).

    Free local help

    Phone numbers checked October 2026. Tell us if one has changed: 513-226-9052.

    Ask these before discharge

    • Is my loved one admitted as an inpatient, or under observation? Since what date?
    • What level of care do you recommend after discharge, and why?
    • Which rehab facilities or home health agencies have accepted the referral? (You can choose. You don't have to take the first one offered.)
    • Has the insurance approved it, or are we waiting on prior authorization?
    • Who orders the walker, hospital bed or oxygen, and when will it arrive?
    • Which follow-up appointments are already scheduled?

    Common questions

    Can a younger adult go to a nursing home for rehab?

    Yes. Nursing homes provide short-term skilled rehab to adults of any age. Coverage depends on the person's insurance, so ask the hospital case manager and the insurer to confirm before the transfer.

    Does an observation stay count toward Medicare's 3-day rule?

    No. Medicare counts only days as an admitted inpatient, starting the day of admission and not counting the day of discharge. Time under observation or in the emergency room doesn't count.

    What's the difference between an inpatient rehab hospital and a nursing home rehab unit?

    Inpatient rehab hospitals provide intensive therapy, generally at least 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, with close physician oversight. Nursing home rehab is less intensive and suits people who need daily therapy but can't yet handle that much.

    This page is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. Coverage rules and amounts change, so confirm details with the program or insurer. We're not affiliated with the agencies listed.