After Hospital Care Services
A special registered nurse called a case manager will help you and your family create a plan for when you leave the hospital. This is a plan for where you are going, what you need, and what you should do when you leave the hospital. Bronson's case managers can refer you to skilled nursing homes or set up hospice care services. They can also order your medical equipment and other supplies. A Bronson medical social worker can help you and your family find a safe place for when you leave. They are here to listen and help you through hard times. They also connect you and your family with people in the community that can help. These are free services to all patients. Call the Case Management Medical Social Work Department at (269) 341-7943.

Personal Belongings
Before you leave, remember to collect all your belongings. Check the closet, drawers and the bathroom. If you placed anything in the hospital safe, please ask for it back before leaving. If you lose something, tell your nurse right away. We will do our best to find it. Items worth more than $3 are kept for 30 days. To ask about lost items, call Customer Service at (269) 341-6055.

Checkout
Patients may be picked up from any lobby entrance. Parking is available in the Vine Street Ramp on the South Campus. North Campus parking is in the Jasper Street Ramp. Your family member or friend may come directly to your room after parking. You and your caregiver will decide whether you need or want an escort out of the hospital.

Medicines
Bronson's Outpatient Pharmacy can fill your prescription before you leave the hospital. This may be helpful if you have a hard-to-find medicine or need a short-term prescription. Most prescription insurance plans are accepted. The Outpatient Pharmacy is located inside the Gift Shop on the first floor of the Medical Office Pavilion on Bronson's South Campus. Outpatient Pharmacy hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is closed holidays and weekends. Call (269) 341-6990 for more information.

Continuing Your Care
Want to continue your care at home? Bronson offers home healthcare services and options. Please talk with your nurse or doctor if you are interested.

Hospital Bills and Insurance
Please talk to your insurance company ahead of time if possible. They will go over their requirements. This will make it easier for you to focus on getting well after you leave the hospital. Bronson will send your bills to your insurance company if you give us all of the information. Remember that your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company. If the insurance company disputes charges or services, these are your responsibility. You have the final responsibility to pay your hospital bill. Bronson has several payment options to help you pay your bill, if needed.

Your Bill from Bronson
Your hospital bill will include most of the services you received from Bronson. These include lab tests, X-rays, room and board, meals, nursing care and others. A patient financial counselor may visit you during your stay. The counselor will make sure that all of your information is correct. Then you can sign any needed papers. To update your insurance information, call 8500. If you need help with your hospital bill, call a patient financial counselor at (269) 341-6120. The hospital has a financial assistance program and you may qualify to participate.

Bills from Others
You may also get a bill from your doctor. Bronson uses doctors in private practice for procedures such as anesthesiology, radiology, pathology, emergency and other specialty services. These services are not part of your Bronson bill. If you need these services during your visit, those doctors will send you a separate bill. Even if Bronson participates with your insurance plan, some doctors may not. Please call the doctor's office to ask if it participates with your insurance plan.

Payment
The cashier is located on the first floor of the Medical Office Pavilion. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cashier accepts payment from customers for hospital services. Cash, personal checks, VISA, MasterCard and Discover are accepted. The cashier can also refer you to Bronson patient financial counselors for questions on your bill or payment options.

Feedback
Bronson welcomes any of your comments about how we are doing. While you are here, we would like the opportunity to improve your experience and to fix any problems or concerns that you have. We also use patient satisfaction surveys to listen to patients and families. After you leave the hospital, you may receive a written survey in the mail. Thank you in advance for completing this survey. We value your input.

Thanking Staff
Bronson has partnered with the DAISY Foundation for the recognition of nurses. If you would like to nominate a nurse, you may do so by completing a Thank a Nurse form and handing it to the greeter. You may also submit an electronic nomination. Contact Patient Relations at (269) 341-8959 to recognize other staff.

Giving Back
Patients and their families often ask how they can express their appreciation for the care that they receive. Our answer is the Bronson Health Foundation. Through the Foundation, you can make a gift that will go directly to helping others. It may help families in need, offer additional patient support, provide extra services, or assist in staff development and training. Your tax-deductible contribution can be for general purposes or it can be directed to one of Bronson Health Foundation's endowment funds: Cancer Treatment, Children's Health, Good Neighbor, Guardianship Services, Pastoral, Senior Adult Services, Women's Health or Scholarship. All donors are gratefully recognized for their generosity and caring for others.

For more information, please call (269) 341-8100 or send your gift to:

Bronson Health Foundation
301 John Street, Box C
Kalamazoo, MI 49007