CHOOSING THE RIGHT HOSPITAL

The first step in choosing the proper hospital is determining how you are going to pay for your medical care. Hospital stays average tens of thousands of dollars. Make sure that your health insurance provider will pay for your treatment at a specific hospital. If you’re having a scheduled procedure, most insurers require that you get pre-approval to guarantee that the hospital bill will be paid.

Rehabilitation Hospital

Choose a health plan that will cover treatment at the hospital of your choice.

Ask friends and family about hospitals in your area. Everyone’s experience is different, but you’ll get a good idea of what a hospital is like by surveying answers about the hospital staff’s attitude, the comfort of the rooms and the quality of food in patient rooms as well as the cafeteria.

Compare the quality of care in a particular hospital with others in the same area. Review many factors before making your hospital decision. A good place to begin is at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Hospital Compare website.

Check hospital accreditation with the Joint Commission which has been accrediting hospitals for more than 50 years. This accreditation is recognized nationally to guarantee a hospitals commitment to meeting high standards for performance.

Various hospitals have reputations for treating specific illnesses.

Make sure your doctor or specialist has privileges at the hospital of your choice.

Choosing the right hospital can mean the difference between life and death. Plan ahead so you are not faced with choosing a hospital in an emergency situation.