Do you receive Medicare benefits? What about your parents, your grandparents, your spouse? What if your elderly parent is hospitalized, and the hospital suddenly tells you they are being “discharged.” And, what if your parent cannot care for themselves, cannot walk, isn’t eating, is weak, what if they have dementia… what will you do? What can you do?
The process of having a patient leave the hospital is called “discharge planning.” There are a number of rules that must be followed by the hospital, but unfortunately these rules are often not followed correctly. Discharge planning is very important – what will happen to the elderly patient once they leave the hospital? Will they get the right care outside of the hospital? Will they have the right equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, beds, and commodes? Do they need therapy to walk, get stronger, or communicate? The discharge planning phase is supposed to provide for a proper transition to rehabilitation services, skilled nursing facilities, residential care facilities, home health care, proper medical equipment, and even hospice care. In our experience, it is often done hastily, and without proper communication with the patient or their family members. The result? The patient is at risk, and only gets worse. The family has erroneously relied on the hospital’s representation that the discharge is “appropriate”…and the patient often “bounces back” to the hospital, has a difficult recovery, or worse.
The patient and their family members should carefully read all documents given to them, including the “Important Message from Medicare.” This general notice explains a variety of rights, including the right to discharge planning services. When a hospital issues a notice of a proposed discharge, it will give the beneficiary a second copy (follow-up) of the “Important Message from Medicare,” which contains information about how to appeal the proposed discharge. If the proposed discharge is inappropriate, tell the hospital. Voice your concerns. Question treating physicians, nurses, social workers, home health and hospice care providers about services. Participate fully in all care decisions. As the “advocate,” you should also be aware of appeal rights if you think the discharge is too soon, inappropriate, or if there is not a proper discharge plan in place.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has a brochure called “Planning for Your Discharge.” It is free, and available at www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/11376.pdf. This is a great place to start.
For more information, call the Law Office of Jane M. McNamara at 661-287-3260. You can also visit www.janemcnamara.com and www.VAbenefits4seniors.com to learn more.