Wang CY, et al. – This pilot study aims to investigate how post–acute care (PAC) for stroke patients delivered by per–diem payment system in varying hospitalization paths affects medical care utilization and functional status. To reduce the costs of PAC for stroke patients, the most effective way is to minimize the duration of their hospital stay before transfer to rehabilitative PAC. Rehabilitative PAC should be considered standard care for stroke patients as it substantially reduces medical costs.