What is hospital discharge planning?

Hospital discharge planning is the process in which the doctor and staff work with the patient and their caregiver to prepare for leaving the hospital and arrange care afterwards. Medicare's discharge planning checklist says the patient and caregiver are important members of the planning team. Planning covers where care will continue, medications, equipment, follow-up appointments and whether the person is ready for daily tasks.

Medicare's checklist asks patients and caregivers to write down who to call with questions, ask about complications to watch for, review the full medication list, ask where care will continue and whether equipment such as a walker is needed and covered, check readiness for bathing, cooking and driving, practice any special care tasks, and get written discharge instructions and a summary of current health.

Hospitals plan discharges, but people with Medicare have rights if they think they are being sent home too soon. Medicare.gov says you should receive a notice called An Important Message from Medicare, which explains your right to be involved in decisions about your care, your right to get the services you need after you leave, and your right to a fast appeal.

Follow the directions on your Important Message from Medicare notice and ask the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization, an independent reviewer, for a fast appeal no later than the day you are scheduled to leave. Medicare.gov says that if you meet that deadline you can stay in the hospital while it decides, without paying for the extra days apart from usual coinsurance or deductibles.

The patient, their caregiver and hospital staff, such as a discharge planner, social worker or nurse, agree how care will continue after the stay. Medicare's checklist suggests the caregiver ask which tasks they will need help with, whether they need education or training, and who to call with questions, and talk to staff about getting that help before discharge. Bring the full medication list.