Need rehab after a hospital stay? Here is how to find quality rehabilitation facilities nearby and what Medicare pays.
Types of rehabilitation facilities
Rehabilitation comes in several settings. Inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) provide intensive therapy, usually at least three hours a day, for serious conditions like stroke or major surgery. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) offer less intensive rehab plus nursing care, often after a hospital stay. Outpatient rehab centers let you return home each day. Choosing the right setting depends on your medical needs and your doctor's recommendation. To compare facilities near you and understand what your Medicare plan covers, call 1-800-MEDIGAP for free, personalized guidance.
How to find and compare rehab facilities
Use Medicare's Care Compare tool at medicare.gov/care-compare to find rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing centers near you, complete with quality ratings and inspection data. Ask each facility about therapy intensity, staffing, specialties, discharge planning, and which insurance they accept. If you have Original Medicare plus a Medigap policy, your out-of-pocket rehab costs may be much lower than with Medicare Advantage. Sorting out which facility fits and what you will pay can be confusing - call 1-800-MEDIGAP and a licensed agent will walk you through it.