Preparing for Your Stay

What to bring

When you arrive at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, you will be greeted by an admissions and registration counselor. To help the admissions process proceed as quickly and easily as possible, please bring:

• Your health insurance plan card
• Your prescription insurance plan card
• A list of all the medications you currently take
• Personal identification (such as a driver's license)
• HMO/PPO referral forms (if required)
• Medical records, X-ray films, or prior test results
  (if your physician has requested them)
• Written letter of authorization from your insurance carrier
  (if you are covered by worker's compensation)
• A check or credit card for deductibles, copayments or deposits
• A copy of your advance directive, living will or Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST).
• Essential personal items, such as glasses (and glasses case), dentures or hearing aids

Do not bring

• Patient-owned medical equipment
  Your own medical equipment necessary for providing your care may be brought to the medical center only if such a need meets any of the following criteria:
  • Operation of the equipment cannot be interrupted, for clinical and patient safety reasons, after your arrival at the medical center.
  • The medical center cannot provide clinically equal (or better) equipment.
  • After meeting any of the criteria above, your equipment will be considered acceptable for use in the medical center, provided that:
    • There is a written physician's order.
    • The "Permission and Release for Use of Outside Equipment/Appliance for Patient Treatment" form is completed and signed.
• Valuables, such as jewelry, watches, cash and credit cards
  Valuables should be sent home with your family. If family members are not present, valuable items will be secured in the cashier's safe. You will receive a receipt for any items stored in the safe. The medical center is unable to reimburse for lost valuables other than those kept in the cashier's safe.
• Medications from home
  If your physician has asked you to bring in your medications, or if you are on investigational drugs or medications that are not widely available, they will be secured in the pharmacy for safekeeping (this is a safety issue). Please notify your nurse upon admission. You will receive a receipt for your medications placed in the pharmacy.

Understanding your insurance

A representative from Admissions will coordinate your admission to the hospital with your physician. A pre-admission coordinator will call you at home to verify basic information, such as the name of your employer, your home address and your insurance carrier.

We recommend that you examine the coverage provided by your health insurance carrier and that you know whether you've met all the necessary terms. If you belong to an HMO, be sure your primary provider is aware of your planned hospitalization and is prepared to submit a referral to authorize your admission.

When you arrive, you may be required to pay a deductible or co-payment. In certain cases, an admissions deposit (based on your estimated length of stay) may be required; the pre-admission coordinator will discuss the deposit with you.

Your insurance company will be notified of the day and time of your anticipated admission to ensure that adequate information is provided to them for authorization and payment. During your hospital stay, financial counselors can discuss any concerns you or your family may have regarding your insurance plan or other financial issues related to your hospital care. We will communicate with your insurance carrier during your stay to inform them of any continued need for care.

Our goal is to ensure that you have the best possible patient experience. If you have questions about any aspect of your care, ask your nurse or contact The Office of the Patient Experience at (424) 239-9120.