Hospital Series - What You Need to Know
Part I.
Emergency Department or Urgent Care?
8/30/2023 Wednesday noon-1:30 pm MT.
Presented by Dr. Lindsay Ballard and Elais Ponton, MSN, BSN, RN, CNO, Nurses with Heart
Lindsay C. Ballard, MD is a Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician with Emergency Medicine Specialists, LLC and a Board Certified Hyperbaric & Wound Care Physician with Providence Portland Medical Center.
Emergency Department or Urgent Care? Where should you go and what to expect.
You fall and hit your head. You wake up in the middle of the night with intense abdominal pain. Your partner spikes a high fever. When these situations occur, we suddenly face the uncertainty of where to go for care.
While the answer is only sometimes straightforward, knowing the difference between an urgent care center and a hospital emergency room can make a huge difference if you have a medical emergency. There are distinct differences between hospital emergency departments and urgent care centers, including the level of care provided at each.
When to call 911
You know it is an emergency, but when to call 911? Many people are nervous about calling 911, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Paramedics often can begin delivering life-saving treatment on the way to the hospital.
Part II.
From Hospital to Home. Discharged - Now What?
OMG, I just got a bill - What Do I Do?
9/11/2023 Monday 3-4:30 pm MT.
Presented by Elais Ponton, CNO, Nurses with Heart and Brad Coe, Coe Agency, LLC.
View the slide presentation here.
What does it mean to be discharged from the hospital?
Typically, when you’re discharged from the hospital, a discharge planner or team will meet with you to go over the information you need before you go home. They’ll provide a set of hospital discharge papers to you, which will list all the procedures and treatments that you received during your hospital stay. Ask (and get the answers) to all these questions before you leave.
But before you exit through those hospital doors, make sure you have met with the discharge planner, and you feel comfortable with the information they give you.
Know you have a hospital stay? Plan in advance for discharge, including transportation, home health care, food, taking care of your pets, asking about insurance coverage, and how to get prescriptions.
OMG, I just got a bill, and what do I do?
The hospital billing and payment process can be complex and confusing. You can contact your insurance provider or broker in advance to understand what is covered and what expenses you might have. It’s better to get prior authorization done before a referral to see a new specialist or receive treatment.
Given the complexity of both health plan coverage and healthcare services, consumers need education on how to know what their health plan covers, how healthcare bills are structured, and how to gather information to understand their personal financial responsibility. Health and insurance literacy remain key challenges facing consumers. Be proactive and get help immediately if you have unexpected bills.
Don't Let a Premature Discharge Put Your Health at Risk
If you're feeling rushed out of the hospital, it's important to understand your rights and options. Learn what to do if you feel the hospital is discharging you too soon, and get tips for making the transition as smooth as possible.
By Lisa Esposito and Payton Sy, RN M
