Allentown Senior AdvisorWhat should we do first when a parent is about to be discharged?
Ask the hospital's case manager three things right away: whether your parent was formally admitted as an inpatient or held under observation, what level of care the team recommends after discharge, and which facilities or agencies have already been contacted.
At Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest, St. Luke's Bethlehem and the other campuses, discharge often happens within a day of the decision. You have the right to a written discharge plan and to appeal a Medicare discharge you believe is too early.
Does Medicare pay for rehab after the hospital?
Medicare Part A pays for a skilled nursing facility stay only after an inpatient admission of at least three days, covering the first 20 days in full and days 21 to 100 with a daily copayment while skilled care is still needed.
Observation days do not count toward the three. Medicare Advantage plans set their own rules and usually need prior authorization, so ask the case manager to confirm approval before transfer.
How do we choose a rehab or nursing home on short notice?
Ask for the list of homes with open beds, then check each one's CMS star rating, staffing hours and latest inspection on our nursing home pages, and pick the best two or three that are convenient for the family to visit.
CMS certifies 30 nursing homes in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties with 5,127 beds; of the 30 with an overall rating, 11 have five stars, 7 four, 7 three, 2 two and 3 one (Care Compare data as of October 1, 2026). Proximity matters: daily visits during rehab make a real difference. You are not required to accept the first bed offered.
What if my parent can go home but not safely alone?
Ask the hospital to order Medicare home health (nursing and therapy visits), arrange equipment such as a shower chair or walker before discharge, and line up private home care or family help for the first nights.
The county Area Agency on Aging can start an OPTIONS assessment for in-home help, though waiting lists are common. If help at home cannot cover the risk, a short respite stay in a personal care home can bridge the gap.
When should we start looking at personal care homes?
Start during rehab, not at the end of it: a personal care home will need a fresh medical evaluation and an assessment, and homes with dementia units or private rooms may have waiting lists.
Use the licensed home roster to filter by town, and ask the rehab social worker for the therapy notes a personal care home will want to see.
At a glance
| A discharge plan is | A discharge plan is not | |
|---|---|---|
| Your rights | Something you can question and appeal | Final because it is printed |
| Choice | A list of options with open beds | A requirement to take the first bed |
| Medicare | Tied to inpatient status and skilled need | Unlimited rehab |
Sources include 55 Pa. Code Chapters 20, 2600 and 2800, Pennsylvania DHS, Department of Health and Department of Aging pages, CMS, VA and CareScout rate tables as cited above; see our editorial standards.
