Swing Bed Program
What is Swing Bed?
Sometimes you need just a little more time to recover. Cimarron Memorial Hospital Swing Bed program offers the transitional care many patients need. The program was designed by the government to help rural areas with underutilized hospital beds and the lack of nursing home beds. Swing Bed allows patients to “swing”, or move from an acute level of care to a skilled rehabilitation level of care, but remain in a hospital setting. The patient usually stays in the same bed. The swing bed program blends skilled nursing and rehabilitation in a caring, personalized setting to help patient’s recover and gain strength to return home. Since each individual is unique, your treatment plan will be tailored to your needs and goals.
How do I know if I qualify?
Swing Bed extended care is for those patients recovering from an illness, injury, or surgery, and no longer need acute hospitalization, but are not able to go home yet. Medicare requires that the patient need “skilled nursing care”. In addition to a physician referral, you will need to have been in an acute care hospital for at least three consecutive nights within the last 30 days before being transferred to the Swing Bed program. You will also have to meet the conditions of having a qualifying rehabilitative medical condition. If you have been discharged to home from a hospital, but are having difficulties recovering, you can still be admitted into the program. If your hospitalization was at another facility, you can be transferred to Cimarron Memorial for your Swing Bed care.
Some types of patients could be:
Recovering from stroke, cardiac or respiratory illnesses, or other medical conditions; Have wounds that can’t be treated at home or in an outpatient setting;
Skilled nursing; Physical therapy; Respiratory therapy; IV therapy;
Recovering from joint replacement or other types of surgery.
How long can I stay in the Swing Bed program?
You can remain in the program as long as you have therapy and rehabilitation goals to meet. Once you have reached your goals, the patient is able to return home or explore additional care options. Some commercial insurance only offer “swing bed” services for a limited time.
Is it covered by my Insurance?
The Swing Bed program is often covered by Medicare. Some commercial insurance plans are also beginning to cover Swing Bed. You will have to call your insurance and see if your commercial plan offers this coverage and if there are any limitations.
What ever your individual needs may be, our staff at Cimarron Memorial Hospital is here to help you take that positive step back to good health! If you have questions about this program, please call us at 580-544-2501.