What is Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center?

Rancho is a hospital – and so much more – for both children and adults. Rancho has a world-renowned neurorehabilitation program <links to Facts about our Rehabilitation Programs> that serves persons with stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and other neurological conditions. Outpatient therapy services <links to Outpatient Therapy page> as well as inpatient and outpatient medical services are also available.

Our Don Knabe Wellness Center provides a gym, exercise classes, education, and support groups for the Rancho and local communities. Numerous recreation and sports opportunities for persons with disabilities promote an active lifestyle and a return to participation.

Research programs at Rancho focus on improved health and mobility. Our Center for Applied Rehabilitation Technology helps people optimize mobility and communication with cutting-edge technology.

With our breadth of services and programs, Rancho can meet healthcare needs across a life time.

If inpatient rehab at Rancho is not the most appropriate setting, the Admissions Team will recommend other levels of care such as:

• Home with outpatient therapy – for people who are progressing well and will benefit most from being in their own home and following up with therapy once or twice per week.
• Skilled Nursing Facility – for people who cannot participate at a level necessary to qualify for inpatient rehabilitation services.
• Long Term Acute Care Hospital or Sub Acute – for people who are not medically stable enough to participate in a full inpatient rehab program.

Rest assured that you can keep in touch with the Admissions team. We are happy to reassess in the future – even if you or your loved one has transitioned home or to a different healthcare facility.

Rancho’s experienced Admissions team includes a physician and registered nurses. They are responsible for assessing the medical and therapy needs of people who have been referred to Rancho. The nurses speak with patients and family, consult with healthcare providers, and review medical documentation to come to a decision.

The Admissions team considers these criteria in a rehab candidate:

• Medical stability. A safe transition to a rehab program requires that critical medical issues have been managed and are under control.
• Willingness and ability to participate in a 3 hours per day, 15 hours per week rehab program. “Participation” can be physical or it may be learning. A person may not be able to speak, hear, see, walk, or move yet can participate and learn.
• Family/Support team. Their participation, education, and training are often the key to a successful rehabilitation program.
• Potential for significant improvement and/or learning within a reasonable amount of time.
• Sufficient support post-discharge. Support necessary to maintain rehab gains in a safe and appropriate discharge setting – ideally home.

Reach out to your healthcare team to let them know you are interested in inpatient rehab at Rancho. If your healthcare provider agrees to refer you to Rancho, have your case manager consult with your insurance plan and submit these documents  to Rancho’s Admissions office. We are

A member of the Admissions team will review your medical record and follow up with you to discuss your needs, goals, insurance and next steps. If inpatient rehab is appropriate for you, your insurance company will be contacted for authorization. If all goes well, you’ll be admitted to Rancho shortly thereafter.

Our Admissions staff are available to answer any questions that you or your current healthcare team may have.

Persons living at home should speak with their healthcare provider about their interest in rehab at Rancho. If your healthcare provider agrees to refer you to Rancho, Rancho’s Patient Access Center (PAC) <links to Outpatient Referrals and Appointments page> has the documents needed to begin the process.

A member of the PAC team will follow up with you regarding insurance and next steps. Once everything is cleared, you’ll have an outpatient evaluation with a doctor who is a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) specialist at Rancho.

The PM&R will determine if inpatient rehab is appropriate for you. Your insurance company will be contacted for authorization. If all goes well, you’ll be admitted to Rancho shortly thereafter.

You can always reach out to the PAC team with questions about this process.

People come to Rancho from home, another hospital, or a skilled nursing facility. Most people who are admitted to Rancho have recently had a life-changing illness or injury. This event has affected their ability to care for their personal needs, work, study, or participate in activities that they enjoy.

No matter where you are, you can ask your doctor, case manager, or social worker to get the referral process started.