Improving Access to Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
Published: July 31, 2025
- This policy statement summarizes the important need for the provision of quality stroke rehabilitation in the US to prevent complications, facilitate recovery and limit disability from stroke.
- While the AHA/ASA Guideline for Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery indicate discharge destination and rehabilitation access should be solely driven by the stroke survivor’s needs, numerous studies demonstrate that a variety of factors determine access to post-acute rehabilitation, including geographic region, insurance type, regional penetration of Medicare Advantage and Accountable Care Organizations, the characteristics of the acute care hospital (i.e., for profit, non-profit, safety net), regional availability of inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities, home health, and outpatient therapy services.
- The goals of this policy statement are to identify key public policy levers to improve access to stroke rehabilitation and improve patient health outcomes.