Stroke Rehabilitation and Neurologic Recovery at RML - LTACH-Level Care for Complex Patients

RML Specialty Hospital provides hospital-level stroke care for patients with ongoing medical needs — such as ventilator dependence, active infections, complex wounds, or dialysis requirements — that prevent safe entry into a standard rehabilitation programme. Traditional stroke rehabilitation requires patients to be medically stable and able to tolerate intensive daily therapy sessions. RML bridges the critical gap between the ICU and rehab by providing continued acute care for patients who are not yet ready for that transition — filling a care interval that neither the ICU nor a rehab facility is designed to cover.

Yes. RML Specialty Hospital accepts direct ICU-to-LTACH transfers for patients recovering from ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, or serious neurologic illness who continue to require hospital-level physician oversight, monitoring, and treatment. Our nurse clinical liaisons coordinate directly with ICU discharge planners at referring hospitals across the Chicagoland area and DuPage County — including major medical centres in Chicago and the western suburbs — to assess eligibility and manage a smooth transfer.

Medicare Part A covers inpatient care at an LTACH for patients who have had a qualifying hospital stay of at least three consecutive inpatient days and require hospital-level treatment for a medically complex condition — criteria that many stroke patients with ongoing complications meet. RML Specialty Hospital is a Medicare-certified Long-Term Acute Care Hospital, and reimbursement for eligible patients is processed through the Medicare LTACH Prospective Payment System (LTACH-PPS). Coverage depends on each patient's individual clinical circumstances, and families are encouraged to contact RML's admissions team to confirm eligibility and review available financial assistance options.

In addition to ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, RML Specialty Hospital provides hospital-level care for patients recovering from traumatic brain injury (TBI), anoxic brain injury, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and other serious neurologic illnesses that require extended inpatient treatment and close medical monitoring. This range of neurologic care makes RML one of the most comprehensive Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals for neurologic recovery in Illinois.

The average LTACH length of stay is 25 days or more. Stroke rehabilitation stays at RML vary based on the severity of the neurologic injury, the patient's overall medical stability, and their rehabilitation goals. Patients are reassessed regularly throughout their stay, and discharge planning begins early to coordinate a safe transition to the next level of care - whether home, outpatient therapy, or another care setting.

Yes. RML Specialty Hospital accepts direct transfers from hospitals across the Chicagoland area. Our care coordination team works with referring hospitals - including Northwestern Memorial, Rush University Medical Center, and others - to complete clinical reviews, confirm eligibility, and facilitate efficient patient transitions. Families and discharge planners can initiate the referral process by contacting our admissions team directly.

Stroke patients at RML have access to a comprehensive rehabilitation team including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology (covering aphasia and dysphagia treatment), respiratory therapy where indicated, neuropsychology consultation, and social work support for family and discharge planning. All therapy is coordinated under the attending physician's care plan and customized to each patient's neurologic status and recovery goals.