What You Should Know Before Being Admitted To A Hospital
July 9, 2010
(New York, N.Y.) - Being admitted to a hospital can be a stressful experience. That’s why Ranking Member of the Senate Health Committee, Senator Kemp Hannon, has five helpful tips that you should know before being admitted.
1. You have the right to participate in all decisions regarding your health care. You have the right to be informed clearly about diagnosis, care, treatment and medicine prescribed.
2. If there are any problems or concerns, speak to your doctor, nurse, social worker or hospital representative. They are able to make your stay easier in any number of ways from contacting family members to arranging for special needs such as translators or sign language interpreters.
3. Every hospital patient is entitled to an itemized bill. The “surcharge” on the bill essentially represents the additional amount due on the total bill in New York State. This amount fluctuates depending on your insurance carrier, so check with your insurance provider.
4. If you feel you are being asked to leave the hospital too soon, or that adequate medical plans or needed services are not in place after your discharge, you have the right to appeal any decisions made by the medical staff. The hospital is required by law to give you (in writing) the date that the hospital plans to discharge you, a process of how to appeal and a number you can call with problems. If you are a Medicare beneficiary, the Island Peer Review Organization is the agency to call at 1-800-446-2447.
5. If you wish to review your medical records, simply ask your doctor, and within ten days your record will be able to be reviewed by law. If you would like a copy, you must submit a written request to the Director of Medical Records at the hospital. The hospital may charge up to $.75 a page.
For more helpful information and a list of upcoming events in your community, visit Senator Hannon’s website at www.kemphannon.com.
Photo: North Shore-LIJ Health System President and CEO Michael Dowling and Senator Kemp Hannon.
Posted by News LI Editor · Filed Under Health
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