Kindred Rehabilitation Services is a network of inpatient rehabilitation facilities owned by Kindred Healthcare

Kindred Rehabilitation Services operates rehabilitation hospitals across the United States where patients recover from serious illnesses, injuries, or surgeries. These are not outpatient clinics — they are hospitals where you stay overnight, usually for two to four weeks. The facilities employ occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, nurses, and physicians who work together to help patients regain independence in daily activities.

Kindred facilities focus on patients who need more intensive therapy than a nursing home provides but do not need acute hospital care anymore. Common reasons people stay at Kindred include recovery from stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, amputation, cardiac surgery, or other conditions that require coordinated rehabilitation. The goal is to help you return home or to the least restrictive setting possible.

Kindred Rehabilitation Services is separate from Kindred Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers, which are long-term care facilities. The rehabilitation hospitals are the more intensive option and typically have shorter stays focused on active recovery.

Key Takeaways

  • Kindred Rehabilitation Services operates inpatient hospitals where you stay overnight for intensive therapy, not outpatient clinics.
  • Your doctor or hospital discharge planner must refer you — you cannot walk in or refer yourself directly.
  • Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans cover stays at Kindred facilities, though your out-of-pocket costs depend on your specific plan.
  • Occupational therapy at Kindred focuses on relearning self-care tasks like dressing, bathing, eating, and using the bathroom independently.
  • The length of stay varies but typically ranges from two to four weeks, depending on your progress and insurance coverage.

How to get admitted to a Kindred facility

You cannot refer yourself to Kindred Rehabilitation Services. A doctor, hospital, or other healthcare provider must make the referral. Usually this happens while you are still in an acute hospital recovering from surgery or a serious illness. The hospital's discharge planner or social worker will contact Kindred facilities in your area to find an available bed.

The facility will review your medical records and determine whether you meet their admission criteria. Generally, Kindred accepts patients who need daily skilled nursing care and intensive therapy but are medically stable enough to participate in therapy for at least three hours per day. If you are still too ill or not ill enough, you may be directed to a different type of facility instead.

Once admitted, you will be assigned a care team that includes a physician, nurses, therapists, and a social worker. This team meets regularly to track your progress and adjust your therapy plan.

What occupational therapy looks like at Kindred

Occupational therapists at Kindred work with you on the specific tasks you need to do at home. This is different from general physical therapy. An occupational therapist might help you relearn how to dress yourself after a stroke, practice using adaptive equipment like a one-handed cutting board after an amputation, or rebuild the coordination needed to cook a meal safely after a brain injury.

Sessions typically happen five to seven days per week and last 30 minutes to an hour. The therapist may work with you in your room, in a therapy gym, in a simulated kitchen or bathroom, or in other parts of the facility. The goal is to practice real-world tasks in a setting where therapists can help if you struggle or fall.

Your occupational therapist will also assess your home and recommend changes — grab bars, raised toilet seats, or other modifications — that make it safer for you to return. Some facilities have a mock apartment where you can practice before going home.

Insurance coverage and costs

Medicare covers inpatient rehabilitation at Kindred facilities if your doctor determines you need it and you meet medical necessity requirements. You pay a daily copay that changes each year; in 2024 this amount varies but Medicare sets it nationally. After you have paid a certain amount out of pocket, Medicare covers the rest of your stay up to 60 days per benefit period.

Medicaid coverage varies by state. Some states cover inpatient rehabilitation generously; others limit it. Contact your state Medicaid office or your Medicaid managed care plan to learn what your coverage includes.

Private insurance plans usually cover inpatient rehabilitation, but the amount you pay depends on your specific plan. Before admission, ask the Kindred facility to contact your insurance company and get a written estimate of what you will owe. Insurance companies sometimes require prior authorization before you can be admitted, meaning the facility must get approval in advance.

If you do not have insurance or your insurance does not cover the stay, ask the facility's financial counselor about payment plans or other options. Some facilities have charity care programs.

Finding a Kindred facility near you

Kindred Healthcare operates rehabilitation hospitals in most states, but not all. The easiest way to find one is to visit the Kindred Healthcare website and use their facility locator tool, which lets you search by state or zip code. You can also call your local hospital's discharge planning department — they work with Kindred regularly and can tell you which facilities in your area accept your insurance.

If you are already in a hospital, the discharge planner will handle finding a bed for you. If you are looking ahead because you know you will need rehabilitation, you can contact Kindred facilities directly to ask about their programs and whether they accept your insurance.

Keep in mind that bed availability changes daily. A facility may not have an opening when you need it, in which case the discharge planner will look at other rehabilitation hospitals or facilities in your area.

What to expect during your stay

Your first day at Kindred will include intake paperwork, a medical evaluation, and an assessment by each therapy discipline — occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy if needed, and others. The team will create a rehabilitation plan based on your goals and abilities.

Most days follow a similar schedule: therapy sessions in the morning and afternoon, meals, nursing care, and time to rest. You may have visitors, and many facilities allow family members to participate in therapy sessions so they can learn how to help you at home.

Progress is tracked weekly. If you are making good progress, your therapy may intensify. If progress stalls or you reach your goals early, your doctor may discharge you sooner. Insurance companies also review your stay periodically and may deny further coverage if they believe you no longer need inpatient-level care.

Discharge planning and going home

Before you leave Kindred, the social worker and therapy team will help plan your next step. This might mean going home, moving to a nursing home for continued care, or returning to an assisted living facility. The team will provide written instructions for exercises to continue at home, a list of equipment you need, and recommendations for outpatient therapy if appropriate.

Many people continue occupational therapy as an outpatient after leaving Kindred. Your occupational therapist will write orders for this, and you will receive a list of outpatient providers in your area who accept your insurance. Some people also receive home health therapy, where a therapist visits your home to help you adjust to your environment.

The facility will also send your medical records and therapy notes to your primary care doctor and any other providers you will see after discharge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose which Kindred facility I go to?

Your preferences matter, but availability and insurance coverage drive the decision. If you have a strong preference for a specific facility, tell your discharge planner early. However, if that facility has no beds or does not accept your insurance, you may not have a choice.

What if I am not making progress in therapy?

Your care team meets regularly to review your progress. If you are not improving, they may adjust your therapy plan, increase intensity, or discuss whether inpatient rehabilitation is still the right setting for you. Insurance companies may also stop covering your stay if progress stalls.

Can family members stay overnight with me?

Policies vary by facility. Some allow family to stay in your room; others do not. Ask about this during admission or call the facility directly. Many facilities encourage family involvement during the day and in therapy sessions even if overnight stays are not permitted.

How long will I stay at Kindred?

Length of stay depends on your condition, progress, and insurance coverage. Most stays range from two to four weeks, but some people stay longer and others are discharged sooner. Your doctor will discuss expected length of stay with you during admission.

What happens if I want to leave before my doctor says I am ready?

You have the right to leave any time, but doing so against medical information may affect your insurance coverage and your recovery. Talk to your doctor and social worker about your concerns before making this decision.