Short reads, at an easy pace.
Six plain-language reads that move at a calm reading pace, with original music played by your browser. Facts come from the official sources listed under each read. For help with a specific situation, contact Prime Care Link.
1Your part in the plan
Under federal rules, a hospital's discharge planning has to focus on the patient's goals and preferences.
It includes the patient and their caregivers as active partners.
When care after the hospital is part of the plan, the hospital gives a list of available Medicare-participating providers, and tells you that you are free to choose.
2Before the day
Where will care happen next, and when?
What equipment is needed, and who delivers it before the person arrives?
A complete medication list, reviewed with the staff: which to continue, and at what dose.
The names and numbers of who to call with questions.
3If it feels too soon
Hospital patients with Medicare should receive a notice called An Important Message from Medicare about Your Rights.
A patient who believes the discharge is too soon can ask for a fast appeal, by following the directions on that notice, no later than the planned discharge day.
Our suggestion
A tip from us: write the answers down in one place, and keep it with the person's papers.
Leaving the hospital
Soft music while you read. Scroll the text at your own pace.Read it as text: Leaving the hospital
- Your part in the plan
- Under federal rules, a hospital's discharge planning has to focus on the patient's goals and preferences.
- It includes the patient and their caregivers as active partners.
- When care after the hospital is part of the plan, the hospital gives a list of available Medicare-participating providers, and tells you that you are free to choose.
- Before the day
- Where will care happen next, and when?
- What equipment is needed, and who delivers it before the person arrives?
- A complete medication list, reviewed with the staff: which to continue, and at what dose.
- The names and numbers of who to call with questions.
- If it feels too soon
- Hospital patients with Medicare should receive a notice called An Important Message from Medicare about Your Rights.
- A patient who believes the discharge is too soon can ask for a fast appeal, by following the directions on that notice, no later than the planned discharge day.
- Our suggestion
- A tip from us: write the answers down in one place, and keep it with the person's papers.
Facts in this read come from Medicare: Your discharge planning checklist · Medicare.gov: Skilled nursing facility care · CMS: Livanta, California's Medicare quality organization, checked October 22, 2026. Our tips are marked as tips. General information, not medical advice.
Six short reads
General information, not medical advice. The music is original, written for this page and played by your browser; nothing is downloaded. It starts when a read plays and fades when you leave; turn it off with the note button.
Know what to ask before the next care decision
Plain-language guides that prepare you for discharge conversations, care settings, coverage questions and license checks. Every fact links to its official source.
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Options, family communication and follow-through
How we support discharge teams, from the first call to the handoff.
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