General FAQs
What is a subacute or post acute facility?
A subacute or post acute facility is a licensed, skilled nursing home that is equipped to deliver care to a patient when they have been discharged from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or some other acute setting. Fox Subacute is such a facility which has specialized in caring for the ventilator dependent patient. Our facility provides many services to fit the patient’s individual needs, ranging from temporary assistance to long term care.
Click here to learn more about the services we provide.
Why choose Fox Subacute?
At Fox Subacute, our focus is to provide the highest level of both short and long term ventilator care to our patients. Unlike other long-term care facilities, our family centered environment allows our caring and highly trained staff to maintain close relationships with their patients, while our facility’s renowned care allows for close ties with regional hospitals. Our licensed nurses and respiratory staff provide 24 hour round the clock individualized care to your loved one in a wide range of services. Since our setting is outside of the hospital the patient is less likely to develop infections and the environment promotes a better quality of life.
Click here to read more about the advantages of choosing Fox Subacute.
Why chose Fox Subacute instead of a LTACH?
The options for the care of your loved one after the ICU or other hospital unit are several. There are facilities such as the Long Term Acute Care Hospitals (LTACH) that focus on weaning from the ventilator. They provide continued care much like the ICU for the somewhat longer term, usually around 20-30 days. They look like hospitals; they smell like hospitals, they are hospitals. While this may sound like better care, in fact there are associated risks. The longer someone stays in the hospital, the weaker they become. As they become weaker, they become less able to wean from the ventilator. They are also more likely to develop infections. It is well documented that if the patient is not able to get off the ventilator while in the ICU, he/she will most likely require several months to get off the ventilator. At Fox Subacute during this weaning process we work to heal the whole patient; mind, and body. We are able to deliver skilled physical therapy for up to an hour a day to keep people as strong as possible. We continue to wean but at a slower rate to try to ensure that when someone does comes off the ventilator they will be more likely to stay off. We also provide recreational therapy, and community outings to allow people to continue to experience life while they are working to overcome their illness. We have proven that this approach works and are proud of our accomplishments. We invite you to tour our facilities, experience our ideas, and see what we have to offer. We are certain you won’t be disappointed.
What makes up an interdisciplinary team?
Each patient and family is part of a skilled interdisciplinary team that includes: nurses, physicians, dieticians, respiratory, physical, occupational, speech and recreational therapists, as well as social services and case managers. Our goal is to make patient care a fully inclusive plan that encourages family support and cares for the patient’s individualized needs.
What are the most common patient conditions at Fox Subacute?
At Fox Subacute, we know that not only one type of care fits every condition. That is why our highly trained staff is able to treat a wide range of illnesses, providing you with the highest level of individualized care available.
To read a full list of conditions treated at Fox Subacute, click here.
How do I pay for care?
Our friendly admissions staff can help you to understand the costs and insurance options available to you. Our admissions department works closely with the insurance companies in order to assist you and your family with an easy transition from the hospital to our facility. We participate with a number of insurance policies and are willing to negotiate with the insurance companies that we are not contracted with. For questions and concerns, please contact Amy Swartley, RN, Director of Admission
at 610-862-0643.
Click here for a list of insurance companies we participate with.
What happens after insurance coverage ends?
Approximately six weeks prior to the end of insurance coverage, a facility representative will contact the patient’s Power of Attorney (POA) or Responsible Party to discuss future payment arrangements. Generally, the options are a secondary insurance coverage, private pay and Medicaid (medical assistance).
- Secondary insurance - If available, this would have been discussed during the admission process and would be a smooth transition through the Business Office.
- Private Payment - If personal funds are available to cover the care at the current private pay rate, an invoice would be sent to the POA/Responsible Party at the beginning of the month.
- Medicaid - If no personal funds are available according to the Department of Public Welfare regulations, the facility representative and POA/Responsible Party would begin the Medical Assistance (Medicaid) process approximately thirty days prior to the end of insurance coverage.
My family member already has medical assistance, why do I need to apply again?
Long term care services are provided by a Department of Public Welfare (DPW) grant generally referred to as a nursing home grant. The DPW eligibility requirements are not the same as the requirements for medical assistance (MA) in the community. A resident can be eligible for MA while living at home but not be eligible for MA in a nursing home.
Initially, you need to provide a copy of the Notice to Application (PA-162 form) granting approval. If you do not have a copy, provide their Recipient Number, Record Number or information for the County Assistance Office that approved the grant. If your family member's grant is active in Montgomery County, the facility will request a Change of Address and nothing else needs to be done. If the grant is active in another county, you will need to complete several forms and sign a Release of Information, which a facility representative will forward to the Montgomery County Assistance Office (MCAO), part of the Department of Public Welfare, along with a Desk Review Request. The facility will then keep you informed of any documentation that the MCAO requests, such as current bank statements that they will need to issue an approval notice.