CHRISTUS Santa Rosa hospitals assign case managers to inpatients who begin discharge planning within 24 to 48 hours of admission. Social workers are available for financial assistance, advance directives, family support, and community resource referrals. CHRISTUS’s faith-based mission means social workers often have strong connections to Catholic Charities of San Antonio and other faith-based community resources. The system’s experience with a diverse, often Medicaid-eligible population means discharge teams are generally familiar with the full range of Medicaid post-acute pathways.

San Antonio has one of the largest SNF markets in Texas, with numerous skilled nursing facilities across Bexar County. Quality and services vary significantly. A substantial number of San Antonio SNFs have Spanish-speaking staff, reflecting the community’s demographics. CHRISTUS Santa Rosa case managers can provide a referral list; an independent placement specialist can verify current bed availability, assess care quality based on first-hand knowledge, and identify facilities best suited to your family member’s specific needs.

San Antonio has more Spanish-language senior care options than almost any other Texas city. Many SNFs and assisted living communities in San Antonio have predominantly bilingual staff, Spanish-speaking administrators, and culturally familiar programming. Tell the case manager that Spanish language is a priority and ask them to confirm language capability directly with any facility on the referral list. A placement specialist with local San Antonio knowledge can quickly identify the strongest bilingual care options.

CHRISTUS Santa Rosa hospitals serve a high proportion of Medicaid-eligible patients and their discharge teams are experienced with Medicaid SNF placement, STAR+PLUS managed care authorization, and Medicaid long-term services and supports (LTSS). Social workers can assist with Medicaid applications, STAR+PLUS plan coordination, and referrals to Medicaid-certified SNFs and assisted living communities. If your family member is Medicaid-eligible, ask specifically about STAR+PLUS and which post-acute providers are in the relevant managed care plan network.

San Antonio has Encompass Health rehabilitation hospitals, Methodist Healthcare Rehabilitation, and IRF programs affiliated with major health systems. If your family member can tolerate three or more hours of intensive therapy per day, ask the attending physician and case manager whether IRF referral is appropriate. San Antonio’s IRF market is generally well-staffed and has good capacity relative to demand, though wait times for specific facilities can vary.

Yes. CHRISTUS Santa Rosa social workers can initiate hospice referrals for patients with terminal prognoses and support families through the decision to transition to comfort-focused care. San Antonio has a robust hospice market including non-profit, faith-based, and for-profit providers. CHRISTUS’s Catholic identity means it has established relationships with Catholic Hospice programs in San Antonio, though non-Catholic options are equally available. Early hospice conversations lead to better end-of-life planning — ask for a social worker and palliative care consultation if this is relevant.

New Braunfels and the Comal County area have grown significantly and now have several assisted living and memory care options, with SNF capacity also expanding. CHRISTUS Santa Rosa New Braunfels case managers are familiar with local options. For families in Seguin, Schertz, or the Guadalupe County area, options may require looking at both New Braunfels and San Antonio markets. An independent placement specialist familiar with both markets can identify the best current options given your family member’s needs and preferred location.

CHRISTUS Health has a robust charity care program for income-qualified patients, and CHRISTUS Santa Rosa social workers are experienced with assisting uninsured patients. Post-acute options for uninsured patients are limited to Medicaid-covered services (if eligible) or self-pay arrangements. Social workers can assist with emergency Medicaid applications, Texas SNAP enrollment, and referrals to county-funded and faith-based community programs that may provide in-home or community-based support post-discharge.

Ask the bedside nurse for the name and direct contact of the case manager assigned to your family member’s room. Introduce yourself and your role in the discharge planning decision early in the admission. If you are not hearing from the case manager within the first 24 to 48 hours of admission, ask the charge nurse to facilitate the introduction. Proactive family engagement in discharge planning consistently leads to better outcomes.

Erika works throughout San Antonio and the South Texas market, with knowledge of both English- and Spanish-language senior care options in Bexar County and surrounding communities. She can identify available, appropriate placement options quickly when a discharge date is set, arrange tours and admissions, and help families navigate both Medicare and Medicaid pathways. Her services are always free to families.