The
physician determines the
type
of care his or her
patient needs and whether the individual is eligible for inpatient
hospital care. In addition to eligibility requirements for admission,
there are
also eligibility requirements for specific therapies, such as chemotherapy.
There may be times when, although eligible for medical care, the patient's
insurance does not cover a particular service. If an insurance carrier
has denied
a patient care, he or she can appeal the decision.
Hospital admissions can be stressful, whether they are planned or sudden
(the result of an emergency). Knowing what documents and other items
to bring, and understanding the admission process, may lessen the stress.
Important Documents to Bring When Being Admitted
Insurance
cards with policy numbers
Insurance company address
Claim forms (if you submit claims on your own behalf)
Referral forms (particularly if a member of an HMO)
Treatment authorization forms
A copy of any advance directives
A copy of the guardianship
order, if applicable
Nightclothes, bathrobe, and sturdy slippers Comfortable clothing to wear home A list of medicines, including over-the-counter medications Personal hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, comb, brush,
deodorant, razor, etc. A small amount of money for items one may want to purchase, for example
newspapers
Hospital Admission
The admission
process begins with an admission order from one's private physician
or the emergency room physician. Understanding the admission process
and paperwork for each type of admission is important and will make things
run more smoothly.
Planned
medical admission
Emergency
medical admission
Emergency or planned psychiatric admission
After an individual has arrived at a hospital and been evaluated, the physician may determine that the patient needs medical care that is not offered at that particular hospital. The hospital is then responsible for ensuring transfer to an appropriate hospital. At times, a patient may choose to transfer to another hospital. In those cases, he or she may be responsible for paying the costs of the transportation and any medical care needed during the transfer.