How to Find a Hospitalist

A hospitalist is a physician who only works in the hospital. He or she does not have an outside practice. Many primary care physicians turn to hospitalists to cover their rounds of patients in the hospital, releasing them to see more patients in their offices. A hospitalist can take over all the care of a hospitalized patient. Insurance companies applaud this specialty as they have better control over in-patient costs. Read on to learn how to find a hospitalist.

Instructions

• 1

  Check with your insurance company to see if you have any in-network requirements that could work for or against your care by a hospitalist. Typically, if you are admitted to a covered facility, the staff will fall within your insurance guidelines as well.

• 2

  Ask your primary physician for a referral once you have been admitted. A hospitalist is more accessible while you are hospitalized and can save you hours or days of waiting for answers from your primary physician.

• 3

  Call the hospital admissions office prior to going in for treatment. You can inquire about their hospitalist program and find how if this type of doctor can be available to see you after your admission.

• 4

  Request a visit from the hospitalist on call at the time of your admission. The nurse who is working with you will have access to that information. If your hospital does not participate in a hospitalist program, then it may not be possible to receive this added care. Then you'll have to wait for your own physician or another doctor on call from that group to see you.