Preparing for Discharge


Going Home

When your doctor feels you are ready to leave the hospital, he or she will authorize a hospital discharge. Your doctor and nurse will give you discharge instructions and will answer any questions you have about managing your treatment and medications once you are home. 

Here are a few tips to make the discharge process run smoothly:

  • Be sure you (and/or your caregiver) have spoken with a case manager and that you understand what services you may need after leaving the hospital. (See Don’t Leave Until….)
  • Verify your discharge date and time with your nurse or doctor. Discharge times vary. Once your doctor has determined you are ready to be discharged from the hospital, you will be released shortly thereafter.
  • Have someone available to pick you up.
  • Check your room, bathroom, and bedside table carefully for any personal items.
  • Make sure you (and/or your caregiver) have all necessary paperwork for billing, referrals, prescriptions, etc.

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.


Transfer to Another Hospital

Depending on your insurance provider, you may need to be transferred to another hospital for your ongoing care once your condition has been stabilized. This could occur if your insurance does not cover hospitalization at San Antonio Regional Hospital.


Billing

Your hospital bill will include charges for the care you receive during your stay. Your personal physician, hospital-based physicians, or other physicians who have consulted on your care will send you separate bills for their services from their office practice or billing company.

The Patient Financial Services Department bills insurance as a courtesy to our patients. The patient is responsible for providing all insurance information to the hospital. Our pre-registration specialists will take your insurance information by telephone during the pre-registration process. You will also be asked to present your health insurance card for verification at the time of service.

While our staff will verify insurance eligibility and benefits if you are admitted to the hospital, we encourage the patient to contact their insurance directly to learn about their benefits and any insurance requirements that may exist for pre-authorization/notification. We will notify you of any payment due from you, such as a deductible, co-payment, co-insurance, non-covered charges, etc. You will be asked to make a deposit prior to, or at the time of, service. Any balance on your account will be due at the time of discharge.

The hospital will allow 60 days for payment by the insurance carrier, during which time you may receive reminder statements. If your insurance carrier delays, or denies, payment on any portion of the bill, the hospital may seek payment from the patient/financially responsible party.

San Antonio Regional Hospital does offer special financing to qualified individuals. Please contact the hospital's financial advocate at 909.980.9511 to discuss options and to make payment arrangements, if necessary. If you are unable to meet your financial obligation, our staff will discuss available alternatives with you such as: payment plans, qualification for government programs, and/or consideration for discounted or financial assistance.


List of Providers – None follow SARH financial assistance policy (3/1/2020)

2016 Financial Assistance Policy – Full

2016 Financial Assistance Policy – Full SPANISH

Financial Assistance Policy - Addendum A - (4/2020)

Financial Assistance Policy - Addendum A SPANISH - (6/2020)

Financial Assistance Summary, FINAL 4-2020

2016 Financial Assistance Summary, FINAL – SPANISH

Financial Assistance Application Instructions (4/2020)

Financial Assistance Application Instructions – SPANISH (8/2017)

Financial Assistance Application

Financial Assistance Application – SPANISH

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