Admissions

Meadville Medical Center (MMC) Admission Policy

It is the policy of Meadville Medical Center (MMC) to admit, treat and assign all patients without regard to age, sex, gender, race, color, religious creed, ancestry, disability / handicap, national origin, ability to pay or because a patient is covered by a program such as Medicaid or Medicare. All patient services and facilities of the medical center are available without distinction to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, disability / handicap or religious creed. All persons and organizations that have occasion either to refer patients for admission or to recommend MMC are advised to do so without regard to patient's race, color, national origin, religious creed, age, sex, gender, disability / handicap or ability to pay.

The Admissions Process

Please use this information to prepare for admission at our Meadville hospital:

• Consider bringing a family member, friend or caregiver – You may find it helpful to bring a family member, friend, or caregiver with you during your admission. In addition to making you feel more comfortable, a family member may be able to remind you of any questions you may have had, as well as remember any instructions you may receive. If you have a caregiver, he / she may be interested in learning about additional sources of information, support, and community services.
• Be prepared to share your medical history – Your medical history may have been forwarded to the hospital prior to your admission. However, there are times when you may be asked questions about your medical history. Be prepared to share information about your illnesses or operations, medical conditions that run in your family and other doctors you see. You also may be asked to bring along test results or X-rays.
• Bring a list of all medications – Many people take several medications, both prescription and over-the-counter types. Because it is possible for these medicines to interact, bring a list of all medicines—as well as vitamins and minerals and herbal supplements—you take, the amount of each dose, the time you take each dose, and any side effects or reactions you've had.
• Please leave your valuables, such as jewelry and cash, at home – Hospitals and health systems are not equipped to provide the proper protection necessary to safeguard your valuables.
• Ask questions about your hospital stay – If you have questions about your hospital stay, make a list of them before you are admitted. Bring the list with you and discuss your questions with the admissions clerk. Make sure that you understand the information you receive. If your primary language is not English, let the admissions clerk know. If you have difficulty hearing, or need the clerk to speak more slowly, please say so. It's important that you have your questions answered to your satisfaction.
• Discuss your preferences in advance – An "advance directive" is a document that allows you to state your preferences about care if you should ever become too seriously ill to make your wishes known. Examples include living wills and durable health care powers of attorney. If you have such documents, you should bring them with you. If you don't have these documents and are interested in having them created, let your admissions representative know.
• Be prepared to discuss your insurance status – During the admissions process, you will be asked questions about your current insurance. Please bring along any necessary insurance information, such as enrollment cards.