FAQs

About LongTerm Acute Care Hospitals

What is a long term acute care hospital?

A long-term acute care (LTAC) hospital is a facility that cares for patients with severe or complex medical conditions who need to stay in an acute-care environment for more than a few days or weeks. Patient stays in an LTAC hospital average over 25 days; however some patients’ stays will be shorter or longer depending upon their individually plan of care. Some LTAC hospitals are freestanding while others operate as a "hospital within a hospital."

What kind of care do LTAC hospitals provide?

LTAC hospitals provide daily physician monitoring as well as 24-hour registered nursing care, as well as medical treatment, diagnostic and laboratory facilities very ill patients require. Most LTAC hospitals are equipped to perform all laboratory, respiratory, endoscopy and radiology services on-site. Some have in-house CT, Hyperbaric Chambers and special procedure facilities. Most operate either a licensed intensive care unit or a medical observation unit providing an intensive level of care.

How do LTAC hospitals differ from long term care facilities (nursing homes) or chronic care facilities?

A LTAC hospital focuses on treating critically ill patients and those with complex medical conditions in an intensive way, utilizing specialized treatment programs tailored to each patient's illness and needs. Patients require the technology and clinical interventions available in a hospital setting. This level of acute care is neither appropriate nor available in a long term care facility (nursing home) or chronic care setting. The goal is to return the patient to least restrictive environment possible upon discharge from the LTAC hospital.

Will insurance or Medicare pay for care in a LTAC hospital?

Medicare actually created the designation of "long-term care hospital" and covers patients in LTAC hospitals utilizing the same inpatient benefit as they do in the general acute care hospital. Insurance companies also provide coverage for LTAC hospitals the same as any acute care hospital if the patient meets the medically necessary requirement to remain in an acute care setting and the patient's needs can not be managed at a lower level of care.

Who determines if a patient needs long-term acute care?

All patients in a LTAC hospital are referred by physicians and/or medical caregivers. Most are admitted from short-term acute care hospitals directly into the LTAC hospital after their physician identifies their need for an extended hospital stay. A pre-screening assessment is performed to determine if the patient meets the clinical criteria for admission and to establish the initial treatment goals.

Why can't patients stay in general hospitals?

General hospitals are set up to handle episodic care. They treat all patients that come through their emergency rooms and provide surgical interventions when necessary. Once the stabilized patient has been diagnosed and the need for an extended hospitalization is identified, the general hospital is no longer the most appropriate setting for this patient. These patients often require individualized care for a long period of time and are referred to LTAC hospitals. Because they specialize in just this type of critical and complex care, LTAC hospitals are cost-effective as well as high quality.