Transfering patient from one rehab to another

Is this even doable or would insurance be a pain?

My grandfather is 99 years old. Was just put into rehab and for 99 he is doing unbelievable. Problem is he lives in Boca Raton, FL. We all live in NJ so my parents go about 4 - 5 times a year to visit him. He's lived on his own up until a few weeks ago when we was sent to the hospital bc he fell and now in rehab.
We've been wanting him to move to NJ for a while now, but he didn't want to go. Now that he's in rehab and being taken care of he wants to come to NJ. He obviously can't live on his own anymore. Any chance to transfer to one in NJ? The whole family is here and figured he's always have someone visiting him.
Thanks!

Transfering patient from one rehab to another

I think you would have to start with finding a place in NJ that would accept him (they would have to get his medical records etc). If you find an accepting facility, they might be able to help you with the transfer.

Re: Transfering patient from one rehab to another

Yes, first find a placement for him. The usually do the transfer for you- we transferred my grandmother from one facility to another and some places offered assistance, some did not-- so if they dont-- since your parents go to see him so often anyway, I don't know the condition your grandfather is in now but can they fly down there and help him get on and off a plane together? and then just bring him to the new facility?

Re: Transfering patient from one rehab to another

Thanks. My mom spoke with the people at the rehab he's currently at and they don't think he's ready to go on a plane right now anyway, but maybe in a few weeks he'll be doing better and we can get him up here.

Re: Transfering patient from one rehab to another

You can definitely transfer but just beware of insurance issues; if he has Medicare only, the FL rehab will use up his Medicare days pretty quickly (Medicare pays for 100% up to 20 days; day 21-100 Medicare pays for 80% and you are responsible for a co pay unless he has Medicaid). If he has both Medicare and Medicaid he's fine. The problem comes if he no longer qualifies for therapy and he's used his Medicare days and has no Medicaid, a NJ facility may not want to accept him. Any Social workers on here please correct me if i'm wrong. It's been a while since i've worked in SNF.

The social worker at the facility can explain this to you and your family in more detail.

Transfering patient from one rehab to another

Have you checked with the insurance? When my brother was in rehab the insurance was going to be an issue if he moved directly from one rehab facility to another, however, he ended up in intensive care and they were able to just move him to a new rehab. Also there maybe an issue moving to a facility out of state. My brother qualified for Medicaid in NY but NY Medicaid wouldn't pay for a rehab facility outside of the state.