Cardiac Rehabilitation - 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:

• adult day services

• assisted living

• behavioral health services

• medical rehabilitation

CARF helps to promote and assure standards of quality for these programs and focuses on optimal outcomes for persons served.