Your Medicare Discharge Planning Checklist: Know Your Rights Before Leaving

Who Should Read This

This publication is essential reading for anyone currently in the hospital, nursing home, or other care facility. It is especially useful for adults aged 60 and older who may be approaching a discharge from hospital inpatient care. Family members, caregivers, and loved ones who help manage a Medicare patient's healthcare decisions will also find this information very valuable. If you are helping a parent, spouse, or friend navigate a hospital stay or post-hospital care, this publication gives you the tools to ask the right questions and protect the patient's rights.

Quick Overview

This Medicare publication is a practical checklist designed to help patients and their caregivers prepare for leaving a hospital or skilled nursing facility. It explains the rights Medicare patients have during the discharge process and outlines the steps they should take to make sure the transition out of care is safe and well-planned. The publication is short and easy to follow, formatted as a checklist with clear action items organized by setting.

Key Takeaways

• You have the right to be involved in your discharge plan and to have a safe discharge.
• You should receive a written notice called the "Important Message from Medicare About Your Rights" during a hospital stay.
• You have the right to appeal a discharge decision if you feel you are being sent home too soon.
• If you appeal, Medicare will continue to cover your hospital stay while your case is being reviewed.
• You should ask your hospital team about what care you will need after leaving and who will provide it.
• Discharge planning should begin early during your stay, not just on the day you leave.
• Family members and caregivers should be included in discharge planning conversations whenever possible.

Publication Summary

What Is Discharge Planning?

Discharge planning is the process of preparing a patient to safely leave a hospital or skilled nursing facility. It involves making sure the patient has everything they need for recovery, whether they are going home, to a rehabilitation center, or to another care setting. Medicare requires hospitals to have a discharge planning process in place for all patients.

Your Rights as a Medicare Patient

One of the most important parts of this publication is its focus on patient rights. If you are admitted to a hospital as an inpatient, you must receive a written notice called the "Important Message from Medicare About Your Rights." This notice explains your right to stay in the hospital as long as your care is medically necessary and your right to appeal if you disagree with the decision to discharge you.

If you believe you are being discharged too soon, you can file an appeal with your Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization, also known as a BFCC-QIO. Filing an appeal means that Medicare will continue to cover your hospital care while your case is being reviewed, so you will not be charged for those extra days while waiting for a decision. This protection is an important right that many patients and families are not aware of.

Steps to Take Before You Leave the Hospital

The checklist in this publication walks patients and caregivers through the key steps to take before discharge. These include asking the hospital social worker or discharge planner about what care you will need after leaving, such as home health services, physical therapy, or skilled nursing facility care. You should also ask about which providers or facilities accept Medicare in your area so you can make informed choices about where to receive follow-up care.

The publication encourages patients to ask questions such as: What medications will I need to take? Are there activities I should avoid? What symptoms should prompt me to call a doctor or go back to the hospital? Getting clear answers to these questions before you leave can help prevent complications and readmissions.

Discharge from a Skilled Nursing Facility

The checklist also covers discharge from skilled nursing facilities, which is a common next step after a hospital stay for many Medicare patients. Similar rights apply in this setting. You have the right to appeal a discharge from a skilled nursing facility if you feel the decision was made too soon. You should receive a written notice called the "Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage" that explains your rights and the last day Medicare will cover your care in that facility.

The Role of Family and Caregivers

This publication recognizes that family members and caregivers play a critical role in the discharge process. Patients are encouraged to bring a trusted person with them to discharge planning meetings. Having a second set of ears can help make sure nothing important is missed and that the patient's needs and concerns are heard. Caregivers should also make sure they understand any instructions for ongoing care at home before the patient is discharged.

Planning Ahead for a Smooth Transition

Good discharge planning does not happen overnight. The publication stresses the importance of starting the conversation early during a hospital stay rather than waiting until the last day. Patients and families should feel empowered to ask questions, request information about available care options, and speak up if they have concerns about the safety or timing of a discharge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the "Important Message from Medicare About Your Rights"?

This is a written notice that hospitals are required to give Medicare patients when they are admitted as inpatients. It explains your right to stay in the hospital as long as your care is medically necessary and tells you how to appeal a discharge decision if you feel you are being sent home too soon.

Can I appeal if I think I am being discharged too early?

Yes. Medicare patients have the right to appeal a discharge decision by contacting their BFCC-QIO. While your appeal is being reviewed, Medicare will continue to cover your hospital stay so you are not responsible for those costs during the review process.

What should I ask before leaving the hospital?

You should ask about what care you will need after discharge, what medications to take, what activities to avoid, what warning signs to watch for, and which Medicare-approved providers or facilities can help with your recovery.

Does this checklist apply to skilled nursing facilities too?

Yes. The publication includes guidance for patients leaving skilled nursing facilities. You have similar rights in that setting, including the right to receive written notice before your Medicare-covered care ends and the right to appeal that decision.

Who can help me with discharge planning at the hospital?

Most hospitals have a social worker or discharge planner on staff who can help you understand your options and coordinate your care after leaving. Ask to speak with this person as early as possible during your hospital stay.

Access the Full Publication

Publication Number: CMS Product No. 11376
Publication Date: December 2025
Length: 6 pages