Hospitals 101

When choosing a hospital, either for emergencies or for an elective procedure (one in which you have a choice about timing), choose the hospital that is best for your medical needs and best for you. In general the key is the quality of care -- not fancy lobbies or art on the walls. .

It is also advisable to pre-plan before entering a hospital. Focus on things to do before you enter the hospital, as well as entering a hospital through the front door on a voluntary basis or through the emergency room.

While in the hospital:

• Participate actively in your care to make sure you maximize your stay, minimize medical errors and risk of infection, and save money.
• Have a family member or friend with you as much of the time as possible to act as a patient advocate, to make sure you get the tests, treatments and drugs that are scheduled, and that people who touch you follow anti-infection guidelines.
• Learn what each of the medical people who visit you do - and, if your insurance has a network, whether they are in your network. For instance, there may be a hospitalist - a doctor who works in hospital and coordinates care. 

Before being discharged, be sure to get a discharge plan.

Review your hospital bill even if you have insurance. Studies show that most hospital bills have errors - usually in the hospital's favor. If you have insurance, you may be responsible for "balance billing" - charges for out of network services. If you are, steps to take include reviewing the bill and negotiating. If you don't have insurance, there are tips for negotiating the bill. 

NOTE:

• A hospital and the health care providers in it cannot discriminate against anyone because of their health condition.
• You can bring your own drugs. If you take an expensve medication, it may be worth bringing it with you to the hospital. The drug must be in its original container with the original label.

For information about these subjects, see:

• Hospitalists
• How To Choose A Hospital
  • Types Of Hospitals
• What To Do Before Entering A Hospital
• What To Take With You To The Hospital
• Entering the hospital
  • Through The Front Door
  • Through The Emergency Room
• In the hospital
  • Your Rights In A Hospital
  • How To Save Money In A Hospital
  • How To Help Avoid Medical Error and Infection
  • How To Maximize A Stay In A Hospital
  • What To Do Before You Are Discharged From A Hospital
• Discharge
  • How To Review A Hospital Bill And What To Do If You Find An Error
  • Balance Billing (And What To Do About It)
  • How To Negotiate A Hospital Bill
  • Your Rights With Respect To Debt Collectors
  • Companies That Negotiate Hospital Bills

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