Supporting recovery after a medical emergency

After the immediate crisis is over, the journey to wellness continues, often involving transportation needs, follow-up care, and logistical coordination.

Leaving the hospital with confidence

Before you leave the hospital, it’s important to make sure you understand the next steps in your recovery. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and coordinate with your care team. Some hospitals have case managers or discharge planners who help patients transition out of acute care. Discharge staff can recommend and arrange appropriate rehabilitation or skilled nursing facilities and provide medical documentation needed for insurance claims or transport approvals. They can also help you schedule follow-up appointments or therapies with your primary care doctor or specialists, so your care team can monitor your healing progress, adjust medications if necessary, and prevent possible complications.

Asking questions and understanding your discharge instructions can help you feel more confident and supported as you continue healing at home. U.S. News and World Report provides a comprehensive list of questions that can be helpful to ask as you prepare to leave the hospital:

• What medications do I need to use?
• Why was I admitted to the hospital? What caused this problem?
• Were there any other diagnoses made during my stay?
• Have you notified my primary care doctor about my admission?
• What other specialists should I see after my discharge?
• When should I call a doctor or return to the hospital?
• Do I need any other follow-up studies?
• What other type of care do I need when I go home?
• How long should my recovery take?
• Should I stay away from certain activities or foods during my recovery?
• Where can I get a copy of my hospital records?

Don't toss that mountain of paperwork!

Managing paperwork after discharge from emergency medical care is an important step to ensure proper follow-up and avoid complications with billing or insurance. Retain all discharge documents, as well as records of any costs you cover upfront, all medical bills, transportation receipts, and insurance claims.

You’ll want to keep these papers in a secure but accessible place, as they may be needed for follow-up appointments, reimbursement, insurance claims, or legal matters. Contacting your primary care provider with the discharge summary can also help coordinate continued care. Additionally, reviewing any hospital bills or insurance explanation of benefits (EOB) promptly allows you to address discrepancies or request itemized bills if needed.

Preparing for a gradual return to normalcy

Healing takes time — and so does resuming daily life. Consider these strategies to manage your care:

• Wound care
• Medication management
• Physical therapy
• Ask your discharge team if your primary health insurance plan covers these services or if referrals are available.

Manage your medications carefully
Keep a list of all your medications, including dosages and schedules. Consider using a pill organizer or mobile app to prevent missed or duplicate doses. Follow up with your pharmacist or doctor if there are any side effects or changes in your condition.

Focus on your mental and emotional health
Emergencies can be traumatic. Anxiety, depression, or even PTSD-like symptoms are not uncommon. You may want to consider talking to a therapist or counselor or joining a support group (in person or online). Also, don’t be afraid to lean on your support system for help. You may have family, friends, or neighbors who can help support you.

Plan a gradual return to normal activities
Returning to work, travel, or exercise should be based on medical advice. You may want to consider a transitional schedule or light duties, if medically approved. Be sure to discuss and coordinate with your medical provider and employer.

Leveraging other resources

After emergency medical care and discharge from the hospital, you can leverage a range of services and plans to support recovery and ease your transition back to daily life. Community-based and church-based services often provide valuable resources such as meal delivery, transportation to follow-up appointments, home visits, and emotional support. You may also be able to access services through national organizations such as No Wrong Door, Meals on Wheels, or the Community-based Care Transitions Program, which partners with regional organizations to provide care and support. These organizations can supplement your clinical care and help reduce your risk of readmission.

You should also review the benefits available to you through any insurance plans you are enrolled in, such as hospital indemnity, which offer cash payouts to help with unexpected expenses, and short-term or long-term care insurance, which can cover extended home health services or stays in rehabilitation facilities.

As a MASA member, you're one step ahead with support that's more than just a financial safety net for emergencies. Let your provider know about your membership benefits, and review your plan for support services available to you after discharge. Some plans include post-emergency benefits that can make your transition smoother, while protecting you from the out-of-pocket costs for transport. We’ll work with your care team to activate any membership benefits you have that can apply to your aftercare.

Many MASA plans include logistics guidance and financial protection for:

• Reimbursement for transport to rehabilitation centers or skilled nursing facilities for continued care
• Repatriation services for returning home or to a hospital near home after your initial treatment while away from home.
• Return transportation for pets, companions, children, or your vehicle if you were away from home at the time of the emergency

These benefits are designed to support you when you need it most, reduce stress, and help you focus on healing rather than logistics. Review your plan details in the member portal to understand how to initiate these benefits so that you can make the most of your membership.

We’re here to support you

A medical emergency can turn your world upside down, but with the right support, getting back on your feet becomes far more manageable. Make sure you understand your plan, lean into your resources, and don’t hesitate to ask for help navigating transportation and care transitions.