Can I Stay, or Must I Go Now? A Cohort Study of Discharge Appeals in a Post-Acute Skilled Nursing Facility

Patients admitted to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) for short-term rehabilitation after hospitalization often feel unprepared to return home and may appeal discharge dates set by SNFs and/or insurers. There are additional concerns that Medicare Advantage (MA) insurers may be more aggressive about discharging patients earlier compared with traditional Medicare. Yet, little has been published on the characteristics of patients who appeal and their outcomes.