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He was told by his surgeon and PT. They gave him a date of May 19 with no reason why. Other than it hits the 30 day window of being in the nursing home. I suspect fraud. He is walking by himself with a walker and can get in/out of bed and to the restroom. I have escalated to the ED and Head of Rehab and they seem to be avoiding the issue. His surgeon, infectious disease doctor both wanted him out over a week ago. I have repeatedly asked for what specifically he needs to demonstrate to permit a discharge. According to his PT, he is ready. I don't know what to do other than continue to call and demand answers.

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IF they will not listen to you at the facility get a long term care ombudsman involved. You should also be able to insist on talking to the rehab doc in charge. But, that does not sound right - Medicare would typically refuse only the days not indicated, not the whole stay - and I think there are some protections where a patient and family have to be notified when things shift to self-pay and should not be billed for non-covered care that was done anyway.
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His surgeon and infectious disease doctor have seen him 3 each times post his April 7th surgery. I have spoken with the doctors myself. He is medically cleared to leave the rehab center. The PT team told my mother he is ready to go. I am being told if he isn't discharged Medicare won't pay for the entire stay (3 weeks so far). The rehab doctor is the one who has to discharge him and he has never even laid eyes on my dad. This is nuts. The man is walking really well.
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Your dad doesn't have to wait to be discharged to leave. But make certain you are correct -- that his docs say he's ready to go home. If that IS true, tell the Discharge Planner he's leaving (pick a date). Ask the docs to prescribe some period of visiting nurses or other aids to help with the transition. Your dad is not a prisoner...
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Today is only May 6th. If the MD's said May 19th, the administrator's hands are tied. What is the rush? Have you actually seen those MD's or are you going by something Dad said? Make sure you see stuff in writing, patients have been known to insist they are fine when they are not quite ready to go.
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