After the immediate crisis is over, the journey to wellness continues, often involving transportation needs, follow-up care, and logistical coordination.
Leaving the hospital with confidence
Before you leave the hospital, it’s important to make sure you understand the next steps in your recovery. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and coordinate with your care team.
Some hospitals may have discharge planners who help patients transition out of acute care. If you are receiving care from a smaller clinic or hospital in your island community, it may be especially important to clarify if you’ll need to travel to another island or the mainland for further treatment.
Island Tip
Storms, ferry delays, or flight cancellations can affect your recovery schedule. Always build in extra time for medical appointments that require off-island travel. Keep important contact numbers accessible and consider downloading the MASA Global app (available in the App Store or Google Play) for easy access to your member information, benefits details, and more.
Asking questions and understanding your discharge instructions can help you feel more
confident and supported as you continue healing at home. U.S. News and World Report provides a comprehensive list of questions it can be helpful to ask as you prepare to leave the hospital:
1. Why was I admitted to the hospital? What caused this issue?
2. Were there any other diagnoses made while I was here?
3. How long will my recovery take?
4. Do I need any other follow-ups?
5. Have you notified my primary care doctor about my admission to the hospital?
6. Are there any other specialists I should see after I am discharged?
7. When should I call a doctor or come back to the hospital?
8. Is there any other type of care I need when I go home?
9. What medications do I need?
10. Should I stay away from any activities or foods while I recover?
11. When should I follow up with the home health agency (or other care) once I get home?
Preparing for a gradual return to normalcy
Healing takes time — and so does resuming daily life. Consider these strategies to manage your care:
- Arrange for home health or in-home support, if necessary
Depending on your condition, home care may be recommended for:
- Wound care
- Medication management
- Physical therapy
Ask your discharge team if your primary health insurance plan covers these services or if referrals are available. Additionally, on some islands, home care nurses or therapists may be limited or only available through public health clinics. Hospital staff, your district clinic, or even your local village council can help you find out what support exists locally.
- Manage your medications carefully
Maintain a list of all your medications, including dosages and schedules. Consider using a pill organizer or a reputable mobile app to prevent missed or duplicate doses. Follow up with your doctor or pharmacist if there are any side effects or changes in your condition.
Keep in mind that pharmaceutical stock may be limited locally or delayed due to weather or shipping, so it is best to ensure you have all of your prescriptions filled and up to date. If a medication isn’t available locally, ask your pharmacist about alternatives or regional suppliers.
- Plan a gradual return to normal activities
Returning to work, travel, or exercise should be based on medical advice. You may want to consider a transitional schedule or light duties, if possible.
If your recovery requires travel to another island or extended time away from home, arrange accommodations in advance, and alert your employer to possible delays or disruptions related to transport or weather.
Leveraging other resources
After emergency medical care and discharge from the hospital, you can leverage a range of services and plans to support recovery and ease your transition back to daily life. Your local government or regional health programs may offer limited travel assistance for off-island care. Ask your hospital social worker or public health nurse about local partnerships or aid programs.
Community-based services often provide other valuable resources such as home visits from your care team. You may also be able to access services through organizations such as Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), your local Red Cross branch, or other local foundations. These organizations can supplement your clinical care and help reduce your risk of readmission.
You should also review the benefits available to you through any insurance plans you are enrolled in, such as hospital indemnity, which offer cash payouts to help with unexpected expenses, and short-term or long-term care insurance, which can cover extended home health services or stays in rehabilitation facilities.
As a MASA Assist member, you may have more than a financial safety net for emergencies. Your membership benefits can help support you after discharge, depending upon your plan. Our protection means you’re already one step ahead. Let your provider know about your member benefits. Some plans include post-emergency benefits that can make your transition smoother, while protecting you from the out-of-pocket costs for transport. We’ll work with your care team to activate any membership benefits you have that can apply to your aftercare.
Many MASA Assist plans include logistics guidance and financial protection for:
- Post Admission Continued Care Transportation to help you access rehabilitation centers or skilled nursing facilities for continued care
- Repatriation services for returning home or to a hospital near home after your initial treatment while away from home
- Return transportation for pets, companions, children, or your vehicle if you were away from home at the time of the emergency
These benefits are designed to support you when you need it most, reduce stress, and help you focus on healing rather than logistics. Review your MSA in the member portal to understand how to initiate these benefits so that you can make the most of your membership.
We’re here to support you
A medical emergency can turn your world upside down, but with the right support, getting back on your feet becomes far more manageable. Whether you're on a small cay or a busy capital island, recovery is possible when you're informed, prepared, and supported. Lean on your community and your MASA Assist membership benefits, so you’re always prepared.