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Hospital at Home

Geisinger quality hospital care — from the comfort of home

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Keep family, friends and pets close by 

A familiar environment and a furry friend can put you at ease, and might help you recover faster. 

 
Germ free

Better outcomes and lower risks

Avoid unnecessary exposure to germs that could be found in a medical setting.

 
In touch

Stay connected to your care team — just like at the hospital

Continue your healing in safety and privacy, while still seeing your healthcare providers.

 

Geisinger’s Hospital at Home program lets you receive hospital care – where you are

Instead of staying in the hospital for the remainder of your treatment, you may be eligible for our Hospital at Home program. Through in-home visits, virtual check-ins, and remote monitoring technology, you’ll receive the same level of expert care you’d get at a Geisinger hospital, but in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Who is eligible?

If you’re a possible candidate for Hospital at Home, we’ll check to be sure the program will not only be safe for you, but benefit your recovery.

Your doctor will examine your case to determine your eligibility. Ideal candidates are recovering from a condition that requires hospital treatment, but not round-the-clock observation. Also, you must:

  • Live within 25 miles of the hospital
  • Be a Geisinger Health Plan member or have traditional Medicare part A coverage
  • Be 21+ years old
  • Have a home environment that meets social determinants of health (SDOH) requirements
  • Accept patient responsibilities, which may include daily tasks like charging your wearable device or weighing yourself

Questions?

a older woman talking to a doctor over an ipad screen from her home with a nurse standing near

Call 570-849-6928, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

For existing customers needing technical support with your tablet or wearable, call  570-607-4870 or 844-611-2232.

What are the benefits?

The Hospital at Home program gives you a lot of freedom you don’t have in the hospital. You can wear your own clothes and eat your own food. Family, friends and pets can be close, with no visiting hour restrictions. All the comforts of home — and all while receiving quality care.

How does it work? 

Once you’re approved for the program, you’ll be given instructions and sent home. A team member will meet you at home and set up your equipment, including a tablet for speaking with your provider.

When you leave the hospital, don’t remove your hospital wristband. Our Hospital at Home team will come to your home promptly to set you up.

We provide: 

  • Daily in-person and virtual visits from your medical team 
  • A device you wear on your arm that constantly monitors your vitals 
  • A tablet with a call bell that connects you directly with your medical team
  • Treatments needed for your care
  • Oxygen or any other medical equipment needed 
older lady sitting in a chair at home while a nurse checks her blood oxygen levels
an older woman sits in a chair at home while a nurse checks her blood pressure

Interested in Hospital at Home? Contact us or see our FAQs and brochure for more info. 

Frequently asked questions

What does it cost? Will my insurance cover it?

If you are eligible for this program as a Geisinger Health Plan member or have traditional Medicare part A coverage, then this service is covered under your insurance, just like any other inpatient hospital stay.
Can I take off my hospital wristband?

No, don’t take off your hospital wristband. When our team comes to see you, they’ll use it to verify your identity for security purposes, so be sure to keep it on the whole time you’re under our care.
What happens in an emergency?

If there’s an emergency or your condition worsens, the clinical command center will triage and either alert a nurse or activate emergency medical services (EMS) to send an ambulance and bring you back to a Geisinger hospital, if necessary. However, this rarely happens, as patients who are a good fit for this program generally have low acuity and low risk. 
What are common conditions that are eligible for Hospital at Home?

Common examples of conditions or situations that meet the criteria include:

  • Pneumonia
  • Heart failure
  • COPD
  • Asthma
  • UTI
  • Cellulitis (skin infection)

This list is not all inclusive. Every patient’s eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis. 

Can I request Hospital at Home care?

Yes, if you are admitted to the hospital or in the emergency room, you may ask your care team to be evaluated for eligibility.
Can I leave my house during my Hospital at Home treatment?

No. Just as patients admitted in the hospital must not leave during their stay, we require that you stay home while you’re under our care, until you’re discharged from the program.
Can I choose whether or not to receive Hospital Care at Home?

If you’re offered the option to receive Hospital at Home treatment, the choice is yours. We’ll answer any questions you have to help you decide whether to receive your care at home or in the hospital.
Can I opt out if I don’t like the program?

Yes, you can be transferred back to the brick-and-mortar hospital if desired or needed.
Do I need to have internet/Wi-Fi?

No, you do not need to have your own internet to participate in Hospital at Home care. Our 24-hour remote patient monitoring operates on 5G and is provided to you as part of the program. 
What is the discharge process? What happens when my care ends?

When you are discharged from the program, it’s just as if you were leaving the hospital. You’ll go back to your normal daily life, with follow-ups from your PCP and specialists as needed.
Have questions?
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