Medical Student University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, Texas, United States
Research Objectives: Although Medicare and other payors cover most cancer related inpatient rehabilitation (IPR) stay, there is an unwritten rule that a patient is approved for only one IPR stay for each illness/condition. The objective of this paper is to present two patients with severe impairment that required cancer related treatment between the 2 stays of IPR. We aim to raise awareness of these patients who required two courses of IPR due to interruptions from chemotherapy or other specialized treatment for their cancer or cancer related condition. We will review literature regarding the rate of transferring patients back to oncology service for further cancer treatment.
Design: Case Reports
Setting: Inpatient Rehab
Participants: 2 Cancer rehab patients
Interventions: Observational Study
Main Outcome Measures: Number of Inpatient Rehabilitation Stays
Results: Both patients presented with severe functional impairment that required longer than average IPR length of stay. Patients’ rehabilitation stays were interrupted by treatment, and additional authorizations were needed.
Conclusions: Cancer patients whose IPR must be interrupted for cancer treatment may need more than one IPR stay. Streamlining of the preauthorization would lessen the wait times and save health care costs.
Author(s) Disclosures: None
Learning Objectives:
Understand that in cancer population, treatment of cancer take the priority over rehabilitation.
Inpatient rehabilitation (IPR) may be interupted due to cancer treatment.
Requesting additional IPR for the same disability can be done.
Physiatrist should advocate for cancer patient who are in need of additiona IPR
Physiatrist should advocate for cancer patient who are in need of additiona IPR
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