The Long Term Care Hospitals Hub

Key Things To Know

Long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) are specialized facilities designed to care for patients with complex medical needs who require extended hospital-level treatment, typically for more than 25 days.

• LTCHs are different from nursing homes or rehab centers: They are licensed acute care hospitals that treat patients who are too medically fragile for lower levels of care but no longer need intensive hospital intervention.
• Patients often transfer from ICU or step-down units: Common reasons include ventilator dependence, complex wound care, prolonged infections, or multiple chronic conditions that require close monitoring.
• The average stay is longer than a traditional hospital: Most patients remain for several weeks while stabilizing or receiving specialized treatments not available in other settings.
• LTCHs offer hospital-level staffing and equipment: These facilities are equipped to provide respiratory therapy, dialysis, imaging, and round-the-clock medical care.
• Medicare has specific rules about eligibility and coverage: Coverage typically applies if the patient was previously treated in an acute care hospital for at least three consecutive days and meets clinical criteria.
• Care planning is multidisciplinary: Teams often include physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, case managers, and specialists.
• Not all hospitals labeled “long-term” are LTCHs: It’s important to ask whether the facility is Medicare-certified as a long-term care hospital or categorized differently under state or federal regulations.
• Family involvement is often encouraged: LTCHs may welcome participation in care planning meetings, goal setting, and discharge preparation.
• Transitions from LTCHs can vary widely: Some patients improve and move to rehab or home care, while others may transition to hospice or long-term residential care.
• Choosing the right LTCH involves more than location: Ask about specialty services, infection rates, staffing ratios, discharge outcomes, and how the facility coordinates with referring hospitals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Long-Term Hospital Care