A Patient's Guide to Surgery

Hospital Admission and Billing FAQ's

While you are a patient at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, we want to do everything possible to make your surgery and stay convenient and comfortable. If you are scheduled for admission to our hospital, you may want to review the following list of questions about our admissions and billing procedures before you arrive.

Patients are pre-admitted by their surgical coordinator at the outpatient clinic. The coordinator is responsible for obtaining your financial information and scheduling your admission time to Penn State Hershey Medical Center. He or she can also answer any questions you have about insurance. Additionally, your physician may request some tests to be done before you are admitted. The surgical coordinator or your doctor’s office will arrange for an appointment to have the tests completed on an outpatient basis.

On the day you are scheduled for admission, you will check-in at the Admissions Office, located near the hospital’s main lobby. Patients should make plans for someone to drive them to Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Parents must accompany patients who are younger than 18 years old. Once you have checked in, a patient services representative will show you to your room where you will be introduced to your nurse and given an admissions information packet. If you were admitted through the Emergency Department, you will be assigned a bed by the operating room. A patient services representative will contact you once you have been assigned your room.

Be prepared to provide your identification, insurance card and any necessary deductible or insurance copayment. If you are admitting a child, you will need to provide the hospital with written consent to provide your child with medical care. Guardians must bring legal proof of guardianship.

For insurance information, please click here.