Choosing a Rehabilitation Unit / CARF

Choosing a Rehabilitation Unit /CARF

Choosing a rehabilitation facility:

Rehabilitation services are provided in many different places, including the following:

acute care and rehabilitation hospitals
subacute facilities
long-term care facilities
home health agencies
hospitals
inpatient rehabilitation centers
outpatient rehabilitation centers
community health settings
private practice
schools
industrial health centers
Veterans Affairs medical centers
military health care centers

When investigating rehabilitation facilities and services, some general questions to ask include the following:

Does my insurance company have a preferred rehabilitation provider that I must use to qualify for payment of services?
What is the cost and will my insurance company cover all or part of the cost?
How far away is the facility and what is the family visiting policy?
What are the admission criteria?
What are the qualifications of the facility? Is the facility accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)?
Is the facility well maintained, clean, and safe?
Has the facility handled treatment for this type of condition before?
What are the staff's credentials?
Is therapy scheduled every day? How many hours a day?
What rehabilitation team members are available for treatment? How is the patient and family included in planning care?
What type of patient and family education and support is available?
Is there a physician on site 24 hours a day?
How are emergencies handled?
What type of discharge planning and assistance available?
What can be done if care is unsatisfactory?

What is CARF?

The Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is a private, not-for-profit organization that accredits rehabilitation programs with the following services: