Case Managers / Discharge Planners - Patient Evaluation Process

CareMeridian is the center of excellence for patients suffering from traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, or who are medically complex or slower to recover.

There are no “hard and fast” rules for how we evaluate and admit patients. First we look at all of the prospective patient’s medical records to make sure we are the right fit, that we have the tools to increase the patient’s level of functionality. Then, in most cases, we will visit the patient on site and conduct a thorough evaluation.

We talk to the staff at the hospital. We physically look at the patient, look at the medical status and rehabilitation status. We talk to the family and address the psycho-social issues involved in the care plan, and discuss whether we can get the patient to a place where the family and the care-giving team feel the patient needs to be. We look at the long-range plan, and whether there is an appropriate next step after us.

We accept patients from anywhere in the country and internationally. In many cases, our Payor contracts have reciprocity with Payors in different states.

All of this goes into whether the patient is appropriate for our facility – if not, we help you, the case manager or discharge planner, in finding alternate care choices.

But the key to the evaluation process is that it is flexible; we don’t put patients in a box, but rather view each patient as an individual with a unique set of circumstances and needs. Everything is highly customized – as it should be in cases such as these.