Admissions and Referrals

• A rehab liaison from The Rehabilitation Center at Kent Hospital conducts a comprehensive evaluation to determine if the patient meets criteria for acute rehabilitation. The screening includes a medical record review, discussion with health care personnel, and a meeting with the patient and/or family to address prior level of function and independence and to address any concerns or questions.
• Simultaneously, we will verify insurance coverage and work with the patient's insurance carrier to attempt to obtain prior authorization, as necessary.
• The next step is to offer a bed to the patient. Often, this process may occur within hours but may be extended if awaiting authorization from the insurance company.
• If the patient does not meet acute rehab admission criteria or is denied pre-authorization from their insurance company, an explanation will be provided to the patient and other parties involved in the referral process. In most situations, an alternative post-acute rehabilitation level of care is more appropriate and will be recommended by the case manager.

The Rehabilitation Center at Kent Hospital is licensed as an acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital. The patient must meet the following criteria for admission to this level of care:

• Require 24-hour physician intervention.
• Require 24-hour nursing care.
• Require at least two disciplines of therapy.
• Able to participate in two hours of therapy (over the course of an 8-hour day).
• Expected to exhibit significant progress within a reasonable amount of time.

Because of our licensure, Medicare and some commercial insurance companies allow an inpatient admission from home, physician office, acute hospital, skilled nursing facility or long-term acute care hospital. In other words, there is no requirement for the patient to spend three (3) midnights in an acute hospital setting in order for Medicare to pay for their acute rehabilitation inpatient stay.