Registering at hospital

Hi ladies,
I need help. I went to a class at Stony Brook and they mentioned registering ahead of time to speed everything up. And I've heard it mentioned on here too. I asked my OB, he said he had no idea what I was talking about. I said this at the next class, and they laughed and said they'd tease him about it, and the office staff probably does it. I asked the receptionist, she too had no idea what I was talking about. I called my insurance company b/c I've seen people talking about their preapproval from insurance. Aetna said I don't need preapproval unless I need to stay longer than 3 days (vaginal) or 5 days (Csection) and that will be up to the hospital to obtain. So do I really just show up at the hospital? Can I call the hospital and register myself? Or should I get on the OBs office again? I only have one month to go!
Thanks!

Re: Registering at hospital

that's very strange because at one of my first appointments my doc told me about the 2 hospitals i could deliver at and that i had to let office know by 4-5 months so i could get precertification with the hospital and insurance. i thought most people have to do this and i'm shocked that your doc's office doesn't know what you're talking about. i would ask them about it again. otherwise, i guess you just call your doc and show up at the hospital when it's time!

Re: Registering at hospital

Not every doctor does pre-registration. I've been with 2 different practices (2 different pregnancies) and both have done it. With both practices, they gave me a folder with all the info and the registration paperwork and told me to bring it back at my next appointment. I don't remember with my first time around, but this one, they gave it to me at my 24 week appt. Your doctor may not do pre-registration. Since no one at the office seems to know about it, that would be my guess. I would call the hospital and ask if they can send you paperwork to register ahead of time. Otherwise, you will have to fill out all the paperwork when you go there to have the baby and you don't want to do that!
Hospital registration and insurance pre-approval are two different things, btw.

HTH!

Re: Registering at hospital

Hm, well he only delivers at one hospital so maybe that is it. I'll call the hospital and ask again. Thx!

Re: Registering at hospital

My drs office pre-certified me with insurance and gave me a form to fill out with all of my info that I had to send to the hospital. I think it was when I was around 20-24 weeks.

The hospital lost the form so I had to go through it the morning I arrived again - it took FOREVER... On top of that, the woman screwed up - although she copied my GHI cards, she billed Cigna so I had a lot of issues.

Re: Registering at hospital

Just a PSA -- I was pre-registered with SB for both my pregnancies and I still had to re-register when I got there. I kinda laughed about it during the first round (slower delivery) but for pregnancy #2 I showed up at the hospital at 7cm+ and had to get on the phone with the registration people and give them my insurance information.

Really annoying - especially when you're in active labor and can barely breathe between contractions.

Re: Registering at hospital

there's usually a form that asks you about your insurance, and the baby's insurance once born, and name of father and mother for birth certificate purposes.. that's probably the form they are speaking of..

Re: Registering at hospital

I received a packet in the mail from Stony Brook asking me to complete forms to register. I completed those forms but have no idea if they were ever received. I know when I went on the hospital tour they told anyone who has not yet registered to go to the office to do it.

Re: Registering at hospital

I had to fill out a form for both pregnancies around 24 weeks which was a pre-registration. It just asked for mine and DH's information and specifically insurance information. It was a one page sheet.