During the early stages of recovery from severe brain injury many patients are comatose or minimally responsive. Rehabilitation for these low-functioning survivors traditionally includes acute medical care and transfer to a skilled nursing facility or acute rehabilitation. Concerns have been expressed that customary treatment options are ineffective, costly, or both. In response, 'intermediate'-level programmes designed to provide effective, cost-efficient rehabilitation have emerged. The purpose of this paper is to provide information regarding outcome of severe brain injury and the early rehabilitation needs of survivors. Common characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of various intermediate programmes, including 'subacute' and 'transitional' rehabilitation, are discussed and contrasted.