title: Discharge planners work to control growing lists.
abstract: The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 requires hospital discharge planners to provide Medicare patients needing home health care with a list of certified facilities, so they can choose their own postacute care rather than being referred to a hospital-owned facility. To be placed on the list, a home health facility must make a request, be Medicare-certified, and service the area.
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare; D000368:Aged; D019090:Case Management / Q000592:standards; D018574:Home Care Agencies; D006801:Humans; D006278:Medicare / Q000592:standards; D010067:Ownership; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards*; D010358:Patient Participation; D012948:Social Work Department, Hospital; D014481:United States