Check your room for personal belongings. Find out if there are any prescriptions that you should take with you. The hospital pharmacy cannot fill prescriptions for patients being discharged; there are several independent pharmacies located near the hospital. Finally, make sure that we have your address so that we can forward mail or flowers to you. Please inform the person who will be picking you up that the customary discharge time is noon.

If you need assistance with post-hospital care, such as community resources, support groups, convalescent care, medical equipment, rehabilitation centers or nursing home care, please call Case Management/Social Services Department at 646-5145 or 646-5632.

Financial Arrangements

After your physician has determined that you are ready to leave the hospital, you or your representative will be asked to finalize financial arrangements with the Business Office on the first floor. Since you are responsible for all charges not covered by your health insurance, the Business Office will ask that a payment plan be made at the time of discharge.

Many of our patients carry insurance that requires both the patient and the physician to contact the insurance company for authorization of the admission. Please know your benefits. Without this authorization, some benefits may be subject to a 50 percent reduction.

Your account, with the exception of amounts paid by your insurance or deposits you've made, is due in full when you are discharged. Please note that charges for personal items, such as private room charge difference, cable TV, guest trays, etc. are your responsibility and are payable upon discharge. Our cashier's office is located on the first floor.

Our Financial Counselors may visit with you during your stay to help resolve your insurance and self-pay portions. They are able to offer alternative financing methods to those who qualify. Financial counselors are available Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

If all financial criteria are met before discharge our Financial Counselors may give you a "courtesy discharge." This will allow you to leave without seeing the cashier and will expedite your discharge process.

We accept several major bankcards including Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express® and Discover®.

Hospitals and doctors charge separately. Your account with us consists of charges for you room, meals, the use of equipment, supplies and services provided by the hospital staff.

Physicians are not employees of the hospital. Your doctor(s) will bill you separately, as will other professional physician services incurred during your stay including emergency department, anesthesia, pathology, radiology and other consulting physicians.

Some charges may not show immediately. Services ordered 24 hours before your discharge might not appear on your statement when you leave. For example, some lab work can take as long as 72 hours to complete. If your stay is less than three days, those charges will not show up on your statement at discharge.

If you have any questions about your account after discharge, please contact our financial counselors at (985) 646-5042.

If you are covered by Medicare, remember that you are responsible for paying the amount of your account not covered by Medicare, such as deductibles and co-insurance. Also, Medicare covers only the cost of a semi-private room. If you prefer a private room, you are responsible for the difference in cost between the two rooms.

We understand the Medicare procedures are complex and sometimes confusing. Our business office is available to help you by answering Medicare related questions you might have. Just call (985) 646-5147.