Know Your Hospital Benefits

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In most cases, you must use the hospitals in your plan's network. Ask your HMO for a list.
Unless it's an emergency, you must have a referral from your doctor to get hospital care.
If you are in a hospital that's not in your HMO's network, call your HMO as soon as possible.

Choosing a Hospital

Find out which hospital in your plan treats your condition most often. If a hospital has a lot of experience with your condition, you will probably get better care. For more information on hospitals, visit www.healthscope.org and www.jcaho.org.

If you and your doctor think that you need to be treated at a hospital outside your plan's network in order to get the care you need, you can ask your HMO.

American College of Surgeons
For information on common operations and choosing a surgeon visit www.facs.org

California Patient's Guide
A guide to health care rights www.calpatientguide.org

HealthScope
Information on California hospitals www.healthscope.org

JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations)
Information on standards for hospitals
(800) 994-6610 www.jcaho.org