Planning A Hospital Stay

Useful tips to help you prepare ahead of time

Nobody likes having to go into the hospital. But it may be needed, as in the case of a planned surgery. If you or a family member plans to go to the hospital, it is a good idea to be prepared. Below are some tips to help with a smooth transition from hospital to home that also can help reduce the chance that you may need to be admitted back into the hospital because of a problem:

• Bring a complete list of your prescription, over-the-counter and herbal medications, including the dose and frequency, to the hospital on the day of your admission.
• Work with the discharge planning staff to make a hospital follow-up plan.
• Be sure to ask if there are any changesincluding dose or frequencyto the medications that you were taking before your hospital stay.
• Take an active role in your discharge and treatment planning. Your plan should include your family, friends, or others who are available to help after your hospital stay.
• Learn any important details about your condition and what you need to do to take care of yourself.
• If you have special needs (e.g. transportation) that could keep you from going to your follow-up appointment, tell the hospital discharge planner so they can help.
• Schedule a follow-up appointment within seven days after you leave the hospital.
• Bring your hospital discharge plan along with a list of your medications to your follow-up appointment(s) as some of the drugs may have changed while you were in the hospital.
• Carry important information on you at all times about your condition, medications, doctor and pharmacy contact information.  

To help with your discharge from the hospital:

• Review the Successful Hospital-to-Home Planning guide
• Complete the Hospital Discharge Checklist
• Print and fill out the Hospital Discharge Wallet Card with helpful information to keep with you at all times (Print on the front and back of a piece of paper.)

For more information about preparing for a hospital visitincluding what to pack and planning for medical billsvisit our Healthwise Encyclopedia.

 

Last updated: October 2017

Important Information

 

MVP Health Plan, Inc. is an HMO-POS/PPO/MSA organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in MVP Health Plan depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, co-payments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.

The Formulary, pharmacy network, and/or provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary. Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next.

Out-of-network/non-contracted providers are under no obligation to treat MVP Health Plan members, except in emergency situations. For a decision about whether we will cover an out-of-network service, we encourage you or your provider to ask us for a pre-service organization determination before you receive the service. Please call our customer service number or see your Evidence of Coverage for more information, including the cost-sharing that applies to out-of-network services. Medicare beneficiaries may also enroll in Preferred Gold HMO-POS, GoldValue HMO-POS, GoldSecure HMO-POS, Gold PPO, BasiCare PPO, and/or WellSelect PPO through the CMS Medicare Online Enrollment Center located at http://www.medicare.gov.