Q. What factors should be considered when choosing a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility?
A. First and foremost, it is important to select a facility and team of care providers that can offer the appropriate scope and level of medical care that you or your loved one requires. Not all facilities offer the same medical services. If your care plan will call for wound care treatment or dialysis, as examples, you will of course want to select a facility that offers access to these programs, on-site. It is important that you also select a facility that feels like the “right fit” for you or your loved one. Take some time to visit the facilities you are considering. Take a tour and meet with the staff. Choose the one that can best accommodate your medical needs, but also feels comfortable and can serve as a true “home away from home.”
Q. What is the difference between skilled nursing and assisted living?
A. Skilled nursing facilities are designed to provide medical care and support on an around-the-clock basis. Residents of skilled nursing facilities often require care for treatment of conditions ranging from recovery from an elective surgery or complex medical procedure, to management of a debilitating chronic condition, with a consistent focus on improving quality of life and the return to independence. Assisted living facilities are more appropriate for those who are not able to live totally independently and require some assistance with day-to-day activities, but whose medical conditions are stable.
Q. What is a plan of care?
A. A plan of care identifies the specific steps that will be taken to treat and care for a patient, as you work to heal, recover, minimize pain and / or ultimately improve quality of life. Plans are individualized and based on the scope of treatment that will achieve the best possible outcomes for you or your loved one. Physicians and other members of your clinical care team will work collaboratively to develop a plan of care, with input from you and your family members.
Q. What is the average length of stay for short-term rehabilitation patients?
A. Every patient case is unique. Those who are staying at a FutureCare facility to rehabilitate following a surgical procedure or traumatic incident are typically discharged within two to three weeks. Patients with subsequent medical conditions that require additional or longer-term treatment may need to extend their stay, depending on recommendations from your physician and the plan of care outlined.
Q. Are phone, cable television and internet / Wi-Fi services available?
A. Yes, residents of all FutureCare facilities have access to these services. A nominal monthly fee is administered for telephone and cable television services. Computers with internet access are available at centralized locations within each facility, at no cost to residents. Free high-speed wireless internet access is available to residents and their guests from their own electronic devices.
Q. Does Medicare cover expenses associated with a stay at a skilled nursing facility?
A. Currently Medicare will cover the health care cost for 100 days of skilled nursing care as determined by Medicare guidelines. https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/10153.pdf
Q. Is Medical Assistance available if there is not enough insurance coverage to pay for a stay?
A. Yes, Medicaid is health coverage for individuals who have limited income and resources and need health care. The rules for counting income and resources are determined by the Medicaid program. If your income or resources are limited, you should apply for Medicaid to determine if you are eligible.
Q. Are facility tours offered?
A. FutureCare offers and encourages facility tours. We feel that this is the best way for you and your family to learn about who we are, what we do and how we do it. Visiting with us will give you a great opportunity to see our space, meet our staff and understand what life will be like if you choose FutureCare for your short-stay or long-term care needs.
Q. What paperwork must be provided at the time of admission?
A. Upon admission, a patient or their designated responsible party will meet with the FutureCare admissions director at the facility, to sign an admissions contract. This document is a standardized, State-approved form. Other documents that will be needed at this time include: the patient’s driver’s license or identification card, social security card and Medicare or other health insurance cards. A copy of the patient’s advanced directives and Power of Attorney paperwork is also requested.
Q. Can an existing family doctor be the attending physician during a stay?
A. Family physicians that wish to see and treat their patients at a FutureCare facility can do so by becoming credentialed. This process is relatively simple and can be coordinated by the admissions director at the facility where you or your loved one will be residing. If your family physician is not interested or able to become credentialed, you will be provided a list of physicians that are credentialed within the facility and are accepting new patients, to choose from. This physician will communicate closely with your family doctor and keep he or she informed of your progress.
Q. How is laundry handled?
A. Laundry services are available at every FutureCare facility and are coordinated through the admissions director, at your time of admission. Family members also have the option to launder patient’s clothing and other personal items at home, if you wish.
Q. What is the difference between Medicaid and Medicare?
A. Medicare is a health insurance program administered by the federal government. It serves individuals ages 65 and older and younger people with disabilities as well as individuals with end stage renal disease Medicare offers insurance coverage for hospital services (Part A), outpatient services (Part B) and covers outpatient prescription drugs via private plans (Part D). Medicare will cover a portion of the health care costs and may have premiums, deductibles and copayments. Medicaid is health care coverage which is a needs-based assistance program. It is available for qualified individuals and families who have limited resources. Medicaid covers a wider range of health care services then Medicare. If you qualify for both Medicare and Medicare a large portion of the health care cost will be covered. Additional information about both Medicare and Medicaid can be found at www.Medicare.gov, or by calling 1-800 MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Q. What other insurance plans are accepted?
A. FutureCare is a provider for many insurance plans. Several of the more common plans are Carefirst, United HealthCare, Aetna, Kaiser, Amerigroup, Marylands Physician Care and Johns Hopkins HealthCare. For further or specific questions about your insurance plan, contact the FutureCare Admissions office at 410-766-1995.
