Choosing a Rehabilitation Unit/CARF
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
-
In the home by 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 doctor on site 24 hours a day?
-
How are emergencies handled?
-
What type of discharge planning and assistance is available?
-
What can be done if care is unsatisfactory?
What is CARF?
CARF stands for Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. It is a private, not-for-profit organization that accredits rehabilitation programs with some of 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 people served.
Updated:  
March 15, 2019
Reviewed By:  
Bellendir, Trina, MSPT, CLT,Joseph, Thomas,N., MD