The call comes, and suddenly you have 24 hours.

Your parent is being discharged tomorrow morning. The hospital social worker ran through a list of things \u2014 equipment, medications, follow-ups \u2014 and you nodded along, but half of it didn't land because you were still processing the news. Now you're home, trying to figure out what "hospital bed delivered by 9 AM" actually means and whether the bathroom is safe for someone who can barely stand on their own.

This is what hospital discharge actually looks like for most families. It's not organized. It's fast, and the window between "they're coming home" and "they're home" is shorter than anyone tells you.

This checklist covers the 10 things you need to have sorted before they walk through the door \u2014 not after.

1. Confirm Your DME Order Is Placed \u2014 and Ask When It Delivers

If the doctor ordered a hospital bed, wheelchair, walker, oxygen, or CPAP, someone at the hospital placed that order with a durable medical equipment supplier. The question is: which supplier, and when are they delivering?

Don't assume it's handled. Call the discharge nurse and ask specifically: "Has the DME order been sent? Who is the supplier? What is the delivery window?" Many discharge delays happen because families get home and the equipment isn't there.

If the ordered supplier is booked out or unresponsive, you can request a different one. Use DMEHelper to find Medicare-enrolled suppliers in your area \u2014 filter by equipment type and ZIP code to find a provider who can deliver in time.

Medicare Part B covers most DME at 80% after the 2026 deductible of $283, with your secondary insurance or Medigap covering the rest. The supplier must accept Medicare assignment \u2014 confirm this before they show up.

2. Prepare the Room Before They Arrive

If they're coming home with a hospital bed, a wheelchair, or a walker, the room needs to be ready before the delivery truck arrives \u2014 not while the driver is standing in your living room. That means:

  • Clear a path at least 36 inches wide from the entrance to the bedroom and bathroom
  • Move furniture that juts into hallways or doorways
  • Identify where the hospital bed goes \u2014 near an outlet if they'll need oxygen or a CPAP
  • Remove throw rugs, extension cords, and anything else on the floor
  • If there are stairs, decide now whether that's workable or whether they're sleeping on the main floor

Hospital beds need about 3 feet of clearance on each side for caregiving access. Don't push it against the wall \u2014 you'll be on both sides of that bed.

3. Get the Medication List in Writing

Hospital discharge often comes with new prescriptions, changed doses, or medications that were stopped. Before they leave, ask the nurse for a printed medication reconciliation list \u2014 every drug, dose, and timing. If they can't print one, write it down while you're there.

The pharmacist is your next call. Fill all new prescriptions before they come home. Don't count on doing it the next morning when you're already managing a fresh arrival.

One common landmine: blood thinners like warfarin often require INR monitoring within days of discharge. Find out if there's a follow-up blood draw scheduled and where it happens.

4. Do a Fall-Prevention Walkthrough

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalization for adults over 65, and the risk spikes in the first days after discharge. Do this walkthrough before they're home:

  • Bathroom: Is there a grab bar next to the toilet? A shower chair or tub transfer bench? A non-slip mat?
  • Bedroom: Can they get in and out of bed safely? Does the bed height need adjustment?
  • Hallways and stairs: Are there handrails? Is the lighting adequate at night?
  • Kitchen: Are frequently used items at accessible height?

Grab bars and shower chairs are covered by Medicare Part B in some cases \u2014 particularly after a qualifying hospital stay or with a physician's order. See what bathroom safety equipment Medicare covers.

5. Understand the Home Health Order \u2014 If There Is One

If the doctor ordered home health services (nursing visits, physical therapy, occupational therapy), you need to know which agency is handling it and when the first visit is. This is separate from DME \u2014 it's a skilled care service.

Medicare Part A covers home health visits if your loved one is homebound and the doctor certifies a need for skilled care. It's not automatic \u2014 someone has to submit the order to a Medicare-certified home health agency. Ask the social worker: "Has this been sent to an agency? Which one? When is the first visit?"

Learn how Medicare Part A home health coverage works so you know what to expect and what to ask when the agency calls.

6. Know the Follow-Up Appointment Schedule

Most discharge instructions include follow-up appointments within 7\u201314 days. These aren't optional \u2014 missed follow-ups are one of the top drivers of readmission. Before you leave the hospital, make sure you have:

  • The name and number of the follow-up physician
  • The date and time of the appointment, or a number to call to schedule it
  • Transportation arranged (medical transport is covered by some Medicare Advantage plans)

If they're seeing multiple specialists, build a simple calendar. Managing three doctors means three sets of paperwork, three medication adjustments, and three different people who may not be talking to each other.

7. Stock the First-Week Supplies

You will not want to make a drugstore run the afternoon your parent comes home. Stock these before discharge:

  • Incontinence supplies if needed (Medicare covers briefs and underpads under certain diagnoses)
  • Wound care supplies if there's a surgical site or pressure injury
  • Extra medication (enough to get through a weekend if anything needs refilling)
  • Easy-to-prepare foods \u2014 appetite is often poor after hospitalization
  • A notebook or app for logging symptoms, bowel movements, and intake (your home health nurse will thank you)

8. Line Up Help for the First 48 Hours

The first two days home are the highest-risk window. Don't plan to do it alone. Whether that's a sibling coming to stay, a neighbor checking in, or a professional caregiver for a few hours \u2014 have someone else physically present.

This isn't about being incapable. It's about having a second set of eyes while your loved one gets reoriented to being home. Confusion, weakness, and disorientation are common after hospitalization, especially for older adults.

If you need professional support, explore Care Pathways on DMEHelper \u2014 guides organized by diagnosis that include what equipment, services, and support are typically needed at each stage.

9. Read the Discharge Paperwork \u2014 All of It

The discharge packet contains information you'll need in the first week: wound care instructions, activity restrictions, symptoms to watch for, and emergency thresholds ("call 911 if..."). Most families stick it in a folder and forget it.

Read it before you need it. Highlight the warning signs. Put the physician's after-hours number somewhere visible.

If anything is unclear \u2014 a wound dressing instruction, a medication timing question \u2014 call the hospital nursing floor before you leave. That's what the discharge nurse is there for.

10. Have a Plan for "Not Doing Well"

Before they come home, answer this question out loud: what will you do if they're not doing well at 2 AM?

Know the difference between symptoms that warrant a 911 call (chest pain, difficulty breathing, altered consciousness, uncontrolled bleeding) and symptoms that can wait for a nurse call line or urgent care. Many hospitals have a discharge nurse line \u2014 get that number and keep it visible.

Calling an ambulance when you're uncertain is always the right call. Readmission is not a failure. Waiting too long to act is.

Quick Reference: The Discharge Day Checklist

  • \u2610 DME order confirmed + delivery window scheduled
  • \u2610 Room cleared and prepared for equipment
  • \u2610 Medication list in hand, prescriptions filled
  • \u2610 Fall-prevention walkthrough complete
  • \u2610 Home health agency confirmed (if ordered)
  • \u2610 Follow-up appointment scheduled + transportation arranged
  • \u2610 First-week supplies stocked
  • \u2610 Help lined up for 48 hours
  • \u2610 Discharge paperwork read and highlighted
  • \u2610 After-hours contact numbers posted visibly

If you need Medicare-enrolled DME suppliers near you \u2014 hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen equipment, or bathroom safety gear \u2014 search DMEHelper's directory of 109,000+ providers by equipment type and ZIP code. Same-day and next-day delivery is available in most metro areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much notice do I get before hospital discharge?

Hospitals are required to give you written notice before discharge \u2014 typically at least 24 hours. However, discharge decisions can move quickly. If you feel discharge is premature, you have the right to request a review through the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) in your state. Call 1-800-MEDICARE for guidance.

Does Medicare cover home equipment after a hospital stay?

Yes. Medicare Part B covers durable medical equipment (DME) including hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, and oxygen at 80% after the 2026 annual deductible of $283, provided a Medicare-enrolled physician orders it and a Medicare-participating supplier delivers it. You don't need a prior hospitalization \u2014 a physician order is sufficient.

What is home health care and who pays for it after hospitalization?

Home health services (skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy) are covered by Medicare Part A with no copay when the patient is homebound and care is medically necessary through a Medicare-certified agency. After a qualifying 3-day hospital stay, Medicare Part A also covers the first 20 days of a skilled nursing facility at 100%.

What if the DME doesn't arrive before my parent comes home?

Call the supplier immediately with the order reference number and insist on a same-day window. If they can't deliver, contact the hospital discharge coordinator \u2014 they can redirect the order. Search DMEHelper to find alternative Medicare-enrolled suppliers who can fulfill urgent orders in your area.