Services may include:
• cardiac rehabilitation;
• dental and oral health;
• dialysis;
• emergency services;
• eye care and cataract;
• health services;
• laboratory and X-ray services;
• mental health;
• nursing;
• nutrition;
• occupational therapy;
• pain management;
• physical, occupational, and speech therapy;
• preventative health screenings;
• respiratory care;
• rehabilitation services;
• surgery.
Payment Options
Several payment options exist for hospital services depending on each individual’s situation or the type of care received:
• private funds;
• private health insurance;
• Medicaid;
• Medicare;
• Public Employees Insurance Agency;
• Veterans Administration;
• TRICARE, formerly known as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS).
Hospital Checklist
Printable version
Services
_____ Do you offer the services I need?
_____ Do you have experience in treating my condition?
_____ Have you had success in treating my condition?
_____ Do you see a high volume of patients with my condition?
_____ Who will be responsible for my overall care at the hospital?
_____ Does my doctor have privileges to admit and treat patients at the hospital?
_____ If not, who will oversee my care?
_____ Are there alternatives to hospital care?
Payment
_____ Will the hospital services be covered by my insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or other health care coverage?
_____ Do I need permission from my insurance company or health plan before I go to the hospital?
_____ Do I have to pay more to use a hospital that doesn’t participate in my insurance or health plan?
_____ If I do not have insurance, will the hospital allow me to set up a payment plan or direct me to other resources to help with payment?
Inspections
_____ Are you accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) or another agency?
_____ May I see the results of your last inspection/survey?
_____ Are you rated highly by consumer groups?
_____ Do you perform customer-satisfaction surveys?
_____ May I see the results of the last survey?
_____ Are a majority of your physicians board certified in their specialty?
Patient Focus
_____ Does the hospital have patient advocates who can assist me?
_____ Does the hospital have convenient visiting hours?
_____ Can a relative or friend helping with my care stay overnight in the room with me?
_____ Are patient and family education programs offered?
_____ Is a chaplain on staff?
_____ Can I provide the hospital with a family contact or friend’s telephone number who can be contacted if my condition changes significantly?
Care after you leave the hospital
_____ Will I likely need care after I leave the hospital and, if so, what kind of care?
_____ What are my options for care?
_____ Do you have a discharge planner who will help me prepare to return home or to the community?
_____ Will you help me find other community services, such as Meals on Wheels or homemaker services, or help me find medical equipment I may need after I am discharged from the hospital?
_____ Do you make arrangements for any nursing care or medical equipment prior to my return home?
_____ Will you provide me with enough medication when I leave to last until my pharmacy opens?
References
_____ Ask your doctor or other medical provider about their experiences with the hospital.
_____ Ask your medical provider which hospital he or she believes would give the best care for your specific health condition.
_____ Would a specialty hospital, teaching hospital, community hospital or one that does research or has clinical trials related to my condition be a better choice?
Hospital Related links
American Hospital Association
Apply for Medicaid in West Virginia
HealthGrades.com
Overview of Medicaid
West Virginia Hospital Association
US News Best Hospitals