Swing Bed: Transition of Care
The term “swing bed” refers to a transition from acute care to rehabilitation or other preparation for a safe return home. A swing bed designation describes a hospital room that can switch from acute care to skilled care status. It allows patients to spend additional time healing, receiving therapy, and building strength after hospitalization, without needing to transfer to another facility.
Bridging the Gap Between Hospital and Home
Jefferson Healthcare’s Swing Bed Program offers additional time, care, and support to help patients regain their independence after a hospital stay. Patients are monitored by their medical specialists and benefit from the 24/7 availability of hospitalists, continuing their recovery in a familiar, supportive environment.
Who Qualifies for Swing Bed Care?
Swing bed services are designed for Medicare-covered patients who need additional time for high-quality care but don’t require the intensive treatment of acute inpatient hospitalization. To qualify, preauthorization is required for Medicare, Medicaid HMOs, and commercial insurance. Traditional Medicare patients qualify if they have had three consecutive nights with inpatient status in the hospital in the last 30 days and an associated condition that requires daily skilled rehabilitation. Skilled needs may include skilled nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, nutritional therapy, or respiratory therapy.
Does Insurance Cover Swing Bed Care?
When Medicare criteria are met, benefits cover swing bed services in full for up to 20 days, and up to 80 additional days with co-payment. Many private health insurance providers cover the cost of swing bed services pending pre-authorization.
Location
Medical Center, 3rd Floor
contact
p) 360.385.2200
Swing Bed: Personalized Medical Care
Jefferson Healthcare’s inpatient care teams are dedicated to preparing you for your return home or to another facility. Medicare currently requires physicians to certify that patients will be reasonably discharged or transferred to another hospital within 96 hours. When you need additional time to heal or prepare, a swing bed designation is an effective, flexible way for our hospital staff to give you the personalized care you need. Our team may assist you with medication management, nursing services, rehabilitation, nutritional consults, or wound care.
Patient Resources (coming soon)
- policies covering your stay
- patient forms
Here to Help You Home
As patients leave swing bed care, case managers can make your transition home easier by connecting you with additional services and resources. They can also coordinate advance care directives.
