A necessary component of your own personal health plan is to know about the hospitals in your area. Unfortunately, not all hospitals offer the same levels of service or patient experience. Do your research and you can put yourself in the best situation to receive the care you need when the time comes.
One avenue towards understanding hospital care in your area is to review existing ratings. For example, Consumer Reports, The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, The Leapfrog Group, and other organizations publish hospital ratings guides that measures patient experience, patient outcomes, hospital practices, and safety scores for most hospitals. These sources can be accessed online or through your local library. Additionally, you can talk to family and friends in your area to gain further insight into patient experience. Pay attention to topics such as communication with medical staff, cleanliness, and ease of access for both you and visitors.
If you know you are entering a hospital, you want the best care possible. That’s where the above research can help. However, you also need to fully understand your medical insurance coverage. Contact your insurance company and determine which hospitals are in your plan’s network, what the cost differences are between in-network and out-of-network care, and which medical procedures require pre-authorization by the insurance company. You want to minimize any surprise charges.
Your hospital selection can be influenced by where your physician or surgeon has admitting privileges. Consult with your primary care physician to recommend a surgeon approved by your insurance company. If necessary, ask for recommendations from friends and family, particularly those who had similar procedures. Finally, talk with the prospective surgeon. You want to have a rapport with your medical care providers. Ask questions and be diligent about your research.
No one wants to go to the hospital. However, if you do need to go for observation or surgery, it is wise to be armed with the best information. Do your research up front. Know what hospitals are best for you and understand your insurance coverage. Being prepared in this manner should speed and ease your recovery.
Source: Consumer Reports
