Medical Services

Hospitals provide short-term care for individuals who need the highest level of medical care. Common reasons for hospitalization include serious illness, an accident, or surgery. Some hospitals provide less intensive health care services, but the level of care is higher than that provided in a nursing home.

What is a hospital?

Hospitals provide 24-hour care to individuals who have high-level medical needs or are recovering from surgery. Hospitals have teams of health care specialists who oversee a patient's care and meet his/her acute needs. Sometimes this means that patients need additional services, such as In-Home Services, once released. Most hospitals also offer a variety of outpatient services.

How do I pay for a hospital stay?

Hospital care is paid for either by the individual who receives the care, their health insurance plan, or by Medicare or Medicaid.

Rehabilitation centers provide specialized therapies to individuals of all ages, on an inpatient or outpatient basis. The goal of a rehabilitation center is to help individuals reach their highest level of functioning in daily life.

What is a rehabilitation center?

Rehabilitation centers offer many different services, including physical, speech, and occupational therapies. Many attendees have disabilities or ongoing medical problems, while others are recovering from an accident or a medical incident such as a stroke. Rehabilitation centers are often affiliated with another health care organization, such as a hospital or nursing home, although they can be separate, freestanding facilities.

A physician or nurse specifies rehabilitation as part of a patient's care plan and works together with professionals, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, recreational therapists, speech therapists, audiologists, social workers, and psychiatric nurses as required to ensure that the patient's needs are met.

What should I look for in a rehabilitation center?

Outpatient rehabilitation centers often consist of a group of therapists offering a range of services. This structure enables therapists to more easily coordinate treatment plans with one another and with other medical providers. Rehabilitation is generally a slow and difficult process. Choose a rehabilitation facility that provides the treatments you need in an environment that makes you feel comfortable. Be sure to check that the facility is accredited and staff are licensed.

How do I pay for a rehabilitation services?

Rehabilitation services are often covered by an individual's health insurance or through Medicare, if the person is eligible. 

Renal dialysis centers are facilities where individuals with kidney disease or those awaiting a kidney transplant receive assistance from equipment which performs the necessary kidney functions.

What is a renal dialysis center?

Individuals receiving renal dialysis are either waiting for a suitable donor kidney or cannot receive a kidney donation at this time. Dialysis machines perform kidney functions for patients on a frequent, often daily, basis. These facilities are supervised by physicians and staffed by registered nurses and certified technicians. They operate on an outpatient basis. Renal dialysis centers are often located in or near a hospital, but some are separate outpatient facilities.

End-stage renal dialysis centers provide a higher level of care for individuals who need substantial assistance with kidney functioning.

How do I pay for renal dialysis?

All major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover this service.