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In addition to the quality aspects involved in selecting a hospital, there
are a few more things to consider before you make your decision. These
include:
Access - Is the hospital conveniently located to your home or work? What
are the visiting hours, and are there any visitor restrictions? Is affordable
parking available? Is your physician, specialist and/or health plan affiliated
with the hospital? These basic issues, which are often overlooked, are
important in your evaluation.
Range of Services - Immediate access to a full range of specialty
departments within the facility may be important if complications arise
and a multidisciplinary approach is needed. Ask the hospital for information
about their specialty department backup. Compare this information with other
hospitals. There may be more than one way to treat a medical condition.
The hospital should be equipped for all possible treatment options that
physicians may recommend. And, if they do not have the staff or services
necessary to treat a specific condition, how extensive is the hospital’s
referral network?
Financial Options - Hospital charges vary. If you are likely to pay a
percentage of these charges, you should know what costs you may incur. What
is the charge for a semi-private room or a private room? What do the charges
include? What is billed separately? If the hospital's charges exceed what is
considered “reasonable and customary,” can some compromise be reached
on the price? Are there payment counselors available to assist in arranging payment
installment plans? Does the hospital provide resources to help you find
financial assistance should you need it?
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