Choosing the right hospital is just as important as choosing the right doctor. Many factors influence this decision such as accreditation, staff, outcomes and costs. To make an informed decision on cancer treatment, it is always advisable to get a second opinion at a specialized hospital. Always check if pre-authorization (permission) from your insurance company is necessary before entering a hospital.
Choosing a Hospital
The Joint Commission verifies a hospital’s performance in many areas such as infection prevention, emergency and medication management. It specifies requirements to ensure patient care is provided in a safe and secure environment. To find if your hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission, go to Quality Check on the Commission’s web site, Joint Commission.
2. Hospitals must be licensed by the State. Some states provide this information on Health Resource USA.
3. The National Cancer Institute designates Cancer Centers for their scientific excellence.
4. The American Cancer Society has a hospital locator which provides information on over 1400 cancer facilities.
5. The following are independent organizations which compare and review some hospitals:
Health Grades rates hospitals and nursing homes.
Vimo compares hospital procedure costs.
6. Confirm your doctor and the doctors who cover for him/her have privileges (are allowed to practice) at the hospital you have chosen.
7. Verify the hospital is accepted by your insurance, HMO or PPO plan.
8. Check with your insurance company to see if you must go to a particular hospital for emergency care.
9. Does the hospital have a Breast Cancer Treatment Center which can provide the services and specialties which meet your needs.
10. How often does the hospital treat patients with your diagnosis? Practice makes perfect.
11. What is the success rate of patients with your diagnosis?
12. Who is responsible for your patient care plan- in the hospital and when you are discharged?
13. Are social workers available to provide emotional, physical and financial support services?
14. Does the hospital have an affiliation with a facility that can provide care in areas the hospital cannot?
15. Ask if the hospital accepts Medicare patients even if you are not on Medicare. Medicare has specific regulations for hospitals and will suspend a hospital if it does not comply with these regulations.
16. Is there an infection control practitioner who monitors hospital acquired infections? Call this person and get the hospital’s infection statistics.
17. Is there an ombudsman or patient services representative who handles patient complaints.
18. Is the hospital clean and convenient?
19. Can testing such as lab and x-ray be done as an outpatient to save money and time?
20. Are services such as the operating room, x-ray, lab and emergency open 24 hours?
21. Avoid the Emergency Room between 3 pm and 1 am which is the busiest time. Early morning, before 9 am is the best time.
22. Ask to speak to the triage nurse in the Emergency Room if you are very ill. This person decides who gets treated first. Do not rely on the person checking you in.
23. Avoid hospitals in July and August, especially teaching hospitals and their affiliates. July is when new interns arrive and a large portion of the medical staff change jobs.
Second Opinion Institutions
Not all hospitals have the latest information about your cancer. It is always advisable to get a second opinion by another team of specialists. For a list of institutions which will provide a second opinion or a multidisciplinary second opinion, go to:
Costs and Billing
Hospitals make billing errors which are usually the results of clerical mistakes in the billing code.
- Always ask for a specific list of “miscellaneous items.”
- Don’t overlook the obvious. You know how long you stayed in the hospital. You may be billed for 5 days when you only stayed 4 days.
- Ask the hospital finance office for a key to decipher charges.
- Ask, ask and ask for help interpreting your bill. Start with the billing office and go up the line to administration if you aren’t satisfied.
- Vimo compares hospital procedure costs.
- Negotiate with the hospital if your insurance doesn’t cover a charge. Offer to pay cash or work out a finance plan.
- Medical Billing Advocates of America will handle your billing /insurance issues for a fee.
For more comprehensive information go to:
US Dept. of Health and Human Services provides information on how well hospitals care for patients with certain conditions.
The Leapfrog Group for Patient Safety provides hospital quality ratings.
How to Find a Doctor or Treatment Facility if You Have Cancer published by the National Cancer Institute.
Health Insight National ranking for hospitals, nursing homes and home health care agencies.
