Hospitalists are physicians who devote their practice to the care of hospitalized patients. Hillsdale Hospital hospitalists are board-certified. They see hospitalized patients who have been referred to them by primary care physicians, emergency room physicians, or other physicians at the hospital. As such, they are based in the hospital and will manage and coordinate all aspects of your hospital stay—from admission until discharge. Hospitalists work closely with your primary care physician and any consulting physicians that are involved in your care.
Hospitalist FAQs
Your own primary care physician has requested that a hospitalist be in charge of your care during your stay. In this way, you have the benefit of being seen by a physician whose practice is entirely focused on the care of hospitalized patients. Additionally, this can enable your primary care physician to be more available to you and other patients in the office, rather than trying to go back-and-forth between seeing patients in the office and the hospital.
Our hospitalists work diligently to provide you with high-quality care and attend to any needs that may arise. They will be in charge of your inpatient care and will see you every day to direct your care while you are in the hospital. They will also be available to you and your family to answer questions and discuss your care, and may also consult other physicians, as needed, to participate in your care.
The two physicians will work closely together. Your primary care physician can provide information about your past health history to the hospitalist, and the two physicians can discuss any significant findings or events. At the time of admission and discharge, the hospitalist prepares a detailed report of findings and treatment plans that is sent to your primary care physician. Communication continues between the hospitalist and your primary care physician throughout your stay at Hillsdale Hospital.
Your primary care physician has asked the hospitalist to be in charge of your care while you are at Hillsdale Hospital but is welcome to check on you and discuss your care with the hospitalist during your hospital stay.
Your hospitalist will make arrangements for any in-hospital consultations with other physicians (specialists). If you have already been seeing other physicians at Hillsdale Hospital or elsewhere, be sure to let us know so that we can keep them informed about your hospital stay.
Since the hospitalist specializes in the care of hospitalized patients, your care will continue with your primary care physician upon your discharge from the hospital. The hospitalist will make arrangements for any prescriptions you may need when you are discharged. You may be asked to make an appointment with your primary care physician soon after discharge if you have any questions about your hospital stay.
The hospitalist, or any other member of the medical staff at Hillsdale Hospital, can assist in finding a physician for you to see after leaving the hospital. Records from your stay can also be sent to the physician.
Yes, the hospitalist services bill is separate from the hospital bill. Hospitalists are private doctors who provide direct clinical treatment, diagnostic serviced, and supervision of care for patients they are assigned. The hospitalist’s billing company, Michigan Hospitalist Physicians, will invoice your insurance company, as provided at registration, and then bill you for any monies that are the patient’s responsibility (co-pays and deductible amounts).
If you have any questions regarding your hospitalist services bill, please contact their business office Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 800-210-7034 or email PhysiciansBilling@SymMetricRS.com.
