Share of Cost, Understand hospital discharge planning and know if you qualify.
Discharge planning helps ensure that you and your caregivers have the information, resources, and care you need as you transition from the hospital to your home or other living arrangement. A discharge plan should identify your post-hospital care needs and the most appropriate next setting for your care. All hospitals must follow certain guidelines when preparing hospital inpatients for discharge. Although Medicare recommends that all inpatients receive an in-depth discharge plan, hospitals must only provide discharge plans to Medicare patients who were screened and found to be at high risk of complications . Keep in mind that Medicare discharge planning requirements and recommendations apply whether you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan. Also, note that Medicare recommends but does not require discharge planning if you are a hospital outpatient.