What
to Expect With a Rehabilitation and Therapy Stay
Preparing For Your Stay
Preparing for an upcoming rehabilitation and therapy stay can feel challenging. However, be assured that our team is ready and prepared to welcome you warmly.
Find answers to some common questions below, or feel free to reach out to us for additional help.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR OPTALIS REHAB STAY
What to Pack for Your Stay
When you choose Optalis for rehab, assisted living, or skilled nursing, we provide a range of services, amenities, and furnishings. However, you may be wondering what you should bring from home.
To ensure your stay is as enjoyable as possible, we have compiled a list of items that you should bring to the center, as well as some items that should be left at home. All items that you bring to the center should be clearly marked with your name.
Please consider bringing:
- Comfortable clothing/sweatsuits
- Pants
- Shirts
- Tennis shoes/walking shoes
- Socks
- Undergarments
- Pajamas and a robe
- Glasses/hearing aids/dentures
- Adaptive equipment (walkers, canes)
- Personal care items
- Cell phone and charger
- Any electronics need to be inspected by our maintenance staff prior to use. Extension cords are not permitted.
Please leave at home:
- Large amounts of money
- Valuables
- Jewelry
How to Keep Medical Bills Organized
After a hospital stay, a visit to your doctor, or a skilled nursing facility stay, you may receive many different documents. It’s important to keep these medical bills, payment statements, receipts, prescription information, and claim forms together and in order. Try these seven helpful tips for a simpler medical bill organization system.
Create a sorting system
Grab an accordion folder with several pockets to keep everything organized. Several plain folders will also work. You’ll need to label the pockets or folders with the following:
- Each provider of service
- Prescription information
- Extra insurance forms
- Miscellaneous
Even if they agree to bill your insurance company, keep in mind that you’ll regularly receive bills, statements, and explanation of benefits (EOB) forms that include responses from the insurance company. If the provider will not bill your insurance, you’ll be required to submit the bill yourself.
Read each bill or statement carefully
Review the following information:
- Name of the provider
- Address of the provider
- Account number
- Date and charge for service
- Description of service
- Your name and Medicare and/or other insurance information
- Phone number to call with questions
Sort your documents
Look for the service date and the total amount of the charge on your medical bills and statements. This will help you sort and organize the documents related to each provider.
Organize your documents
Remember to review the explanation of benefits (EOB) form first. This will state whether a charge was paid or denied, or if additional information is needed. If there is nothing for you to do, then file the form in the folder or divider assigned to that service provider.
File with supplemental insurance
If insurance has been paid on the claim, then the supplemental insurance can be billed. And, if the service provider is handling this for you, simply file the insurance payment form in the correct provider folder.
However, if you must file with your secondary insurance, then make a photocopy of the explanation of benefits (EOB) form and the provider bill. Print your supplemental identification number on the copies, then mail both the explanation form and the itemized bill, if required, to the insurance company.
File your paid bills
As each provider charge is paid by your insurance and there is no remaining balance, mark the bill as paid. File together the provider statement, the explanation of benefits (EOB) form, and any other insurance determination of benefits form in the proper folder or divider.
Track payments
To keep track of all payments, make a record of the information on a sheet of paper for easy review. Include the following:
- Provider of service
- Account number
- Date of service
- Total charge for service
- Amount paid by Medicare
- Amount paid by insurance
- Payments you may have made
Frequently Asked Questions About a Rehab Stay
Will someone be there to greet me when I check in?
Yes! Upon arrival, you will be greeted warmly by your nurse and nursing assistant. Don’t worry! Both will be well-informed of your current condition and specific care needs. They will complete an initial health assessment and answer any questions you may have.
Are visitors allowed?
Visitors are welcome. We recommend visitation within normal business hours of 7 AM – 7 PM.
What meals will I have in rehabilitation and therapy?
For lunch and dinner, we have a “special of the day” option. You may choose to enjoy your meals in our well-appointed dining room or have your meals delivered to your room. We also have a Bistro Menu that many order from, which offers many more delicious choices.
DOES MEDICARE COVER THE COSTS OF MY REHAB STAY?
Medicare pays for a portion of the costs of a qualified rehab stay but not all. If you spend three nights in the hospital at an inpatient level of care and your physician orders a transfer to a skilled nursing and rehab center, Medicare will pay the following:
- Days 1 through 20 will be covered by Medicare at 100% of the cost.
- After day 20 and through day 100, if you still qualify for care, you will be responsible for a daily copay for each day you are in rehab. Medicare will pay for the remainder of the daily costs.
- After day 100, you will be responsible for the full amount of your rehabilitation stay.
- Make sure to contact your secondary insurance provider (if applicable) to determine if they will cover the cost of the copay.
How Can I Ensure Optalis Will Have a Room Available After My Surgery?
If you are considering or have scheduled surgery and would like to plan for your recovery needs, we recommend making a pre-surgery reservation. This will provide you with peace of mind that you’re prepared for both your surgery and recovery.
When you make a pre-surgery room reservation, there is no financial obligation should your surgery be canceled or postponed.
DOES THE THERAPY DEPARTMENT OFFER A FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE?
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy schedules are tailored to the individual. At Optalis, our therapy teams want everyone to participate in their rehabilitation to the best of their ability. The teams work with you to determine a personalized rehab schedule that fits best with your needs and desires.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE COST OF MY REHAB STAY?
While receiving inpatient rehabilitation services at an Optalis care community, you can access therapy and nursing services, meals, and activities. You’ll also enjoy personal laundry and linen services, outings, transportation, and more.
WHAT ARE THERAPY SESSIONS LIKE?
Your therapy team will discuss your prior and current abilities and go over your future goals. Therapy sessions can be both tiring and invigorating. It’s important that you get a good night’s sleep after each session. Our goal is to ensure you have a positive and supportive experience here with us at Optalis. It’s our professional commitment to provide personalized, uncompromised care for you.
Still Have Questions?
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us. One of our experts will help you with questions specific to your individual needs and financial situation.
