Swing Bed/Transitional Care

WHAT is a SWING BED?

Lakewood Health System's Swing Bed care is a reliable and caring place for those needing less acute care than a hospital patient. It bridges the gap from hospital to home or long-term care facility. Swing bed patients are newly discharged hospital patients, recovering from illness, injury or surgery.

After having at least a 3 day stay in a hospital, many are still recovering when it’s time to discharge. They need more time, care and support to regain health and independence. The Swing Bed Unit is designed to give this kind of care and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Any person who has Medicare insurance and meets Medicare criteria is eligible for an assessment for possible swing bed placement.

What is the Medicare criteria for swing bed coverage?
A person must have been hospitalized for three nights before they are eligible for swing bed.

These are some of the most common reasons for swing bed admissions:

• A person in need of daily physical therapy, occupational therapy and/or speech therapy.
• A person in need of care who has a terminal diagnosis.
• A person who requires extended IV medication therapy.
• A person who requires extensive wound care therapy.

What does Medicare pay for in a swing bed?
Medicare will pay 100% of costs for the first 20 days in a swing bed if the above criteria are continually being met. Medicare insurance coverage for swing bed services falls under the long-term care Medicare insurance.

For More Information
Contact the Social Services Department: Contact the Swing Bed Unit:	218-894-8344 218-894-8462