Home / Health / Stroke Rehab Access Inconsistent, Study Finds
Stroke Rehab Access Inconsistent, Study Finds
11 Jun
Summary
- Only 22% of stroke patients go to inpatient rehabilitation after hospitalization.
- Inpatient rehab offers more intensive therapy than skilled nursing facilities.
- Insurance and income levels affect access to intensive rehabilitation care.
Few individuals recovering from strokes, brain injuries, or spinal cord injuries are receiving the intensive, hospital-based rehabilitation they need. Research published on June 10, 2026, indicates that only about 22% of these patients are referred to inpatient rehabilitation facilities after their initial hospital stay.
These specialized facilities provide over three hours of daily therapy, which is significantly more intensive than what's offered in skilled nursing facilities. Despite the proven benefits for recovery, access to this intensive care is inconsistent. The study reviewed records from nearly 445,000 adults across five states between 2016 and 2019, finding that stroke patients had a 22% chance of inpatient rehab, brain injury patients 14%, and spinal cord injury patients 44%.
Disparities in access were also noted. While older adults, women, and Black individuals showed higher odds of receiving inpatient rehabilitation compared to their counterparts, further analysis revealed complexities. For instance, Black individuals had lower odds of being sent to inpatient rehab versus a nursing facility when home discharges were excluded. Furthermore, having private insurance instead of Medicare, and residing in higher-income areas, were associated with lower odds of receiving this vital care.
