Preparing to Leave the Hospital


When You Are Discharged Your physician determines when you are ready to be discharged. Your physician and nurse will give you discharge instructions and answer any questions you have about managing your treatment and medications once you are home. If you are confused or unsure about what you need to do, what medications you must take or if you have to restrict your diet or activities, don’t be afraid to ask and take notes. Be sure you understand any instructions you have been given before you leave the hospital.


When your doctor feels that you


are ready to leave the hospital, he or she will authorize a hospital discharge. Please speak with your nurse about our discharge procedures. Here are few tips to make the discharge


process run smoothly: n Be sure you and/or your caregiver have


spoken with a discharge planner and that you understand what services you may need aſter leaving the hospital. (See “Don’t Leave Until…” on page 31 for more discharge advice.)


n Verify your discharge date and time with your nurse or doctor.


n Have someone available to pick you up. n Check your room, bathroom, closet


and bedside table carefully for any personal items.


n Retrieve any valuables you have stored in the hospital safe.


n Make sure you or your caregiver has all necessary paperwork for billing, referrals, prescriptions, etc.


n If you had bloodwork or other tests done, be sure you know the results before you are discharged.


Hospital Bills & Insurance If You Have Health Insurance We will need a copy of your identification card. We also may need the insurance forms, which are supplied by your em- ployer or the insurance company. You will be asked to assign benefits from the insur- ance company directly to the hospital. All patients should familiarize


themselves with the terms of their insurance coverage. You are responsible for all charges not covered by your health insurance. Deductibles and co-payments also are the responsibility of the patient.


If You Have No Health Insurance A representative from the Admissions Department will discuss financial arrangements with you. A hospital representative, who is also a representative of Social Services, is available to assist you in applying for Medicaid or other government-assistance programs. Terrebonne General has available a


Medicaid Enrollment Center located on the first floor of the hospital. For more information, call (985) 873-4386.


Your Hospital Bill Terrebonne General files claims to your insurance as a courtesy and will do everything possible to expedite your claim. You should remember that your policy is a contract between you and your insurance company and you have the final responsibility for payment of your


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