1. What should I bring to the hospital?

When packing for a stay in the hospital, pack lightly.  Hospital gowns will be provided for you, but you may want to bring your own sleeping apparel, bathrobe, and slippers.  These items can be provided for you if you don't have your own.

You may also want to bring your own personal toiletries such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, and shampoo and your own pastime materials such as books and knitting.

For safety reasons, we ask that you do not bring electrical appliances such as hair dryers and curling irons, which can be supplied for your use.

If you are currently taking any medications, please bring your medicine with you in its original container.  Other helpful information would be a list of any previous surgeries you have had or medical conditions for which you have been hospitalized.

2. Where should I check in upon arriving?

You will be notified of the time you will need to come to the hospital one day before your admission.

Patients being admitted need to check in at the front desk, Day Surgery Unit, or Emergency Department at TAMC in Presque Isle.  A representative from the Admissions Office will inform you of which entrance you will need to come through the day of your admission.

3. Do I need to contact my insurance company?

Many insurance companies or health plans require pre-certification for a planned hospital stay.  The admission representative will remind you to call your insurance company before you come to the hospital to get prior approval.

If you have any questions about the cost of your care, call 768-4000 and ask for a patient accounts representative.

It is TAMC's policy to treat all patients requiring medical care without regard to their ability to pay.  In those cases where patients are financially unable to pay, financial counselors are available to help make arrangements for settling the patient's account obligation.

While You are a Patient

1. Will there be a telephone in my room?

There is a telephone at each patient's bedside.  For local calls, dial "9" first and then the number you are calling.  Long distance calling must be made using a calling card or by calling collect.  To make a long distance call, dial "81" then "0" plus the area code and number you are calling.  To make a call within the hospital, just dial the 4-digit extension.

To avoid disturbing our patients, incoming calls to the switchboard are not put through to patients' rooms before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m.  Urgent calls during these hours will be put through to the nurses' station.

2. What kind of food service can I expect?

Your meals will be prepared by our Nutrition Services Department staff.  Each morning, you will receive a menu for the following day on your breakfast tray.  Circle the selections you want and a clinical nutrition aide will pick the menu up.  Please note that it may be necessary for you to be on a restricted diet per order of your doctor.

Breakfast is served at 7:30 a.m., lunch at 11:30 a.m., and dinner at 5:00 p.m.  Parents of newborns are offered a celebration dinner the evening prior to discharge.

3. Will my room have a cable television?

Cable Television with bedside controls are provided for all patients at no extra charge.  Ask your nurse for instructions.

4. Are interpreters available?

It is important for our patients to understand what their caregivers are saying in order to be a partner in health.  Interpreters are available for patients who speak a language other than English or who use sign language.  The patient's nurse can be of assistance in getting an interpreter.

Billing Questions

1. Will I receive more than one bill?

Charges included on your bill will include room and board charges, supplies, and ancillary services including operating room fee, laboratory tests, and therapy.  You will receive a separate bill(s) from your physician and/or specialists who treated you or read any of your tests such as the anesthesiologist, radiologist, and pathologist.

2. Who should I call with questions about my bill?

Billing Counselors in the Billing Department will answer your questions between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The counselors are divided as follows:

Blue Cross/Anthem/Champus	768-4269
Commercial Insurance	768-4282
Medicaid	768-4271
Medicare for Inpatients	768-4270
Medicare for Outpatients	768-4272
Self Pay is divided by last name:
A - F	768-4261
G - M	768-4263
N - Z	768-4262
Worker's Comp Claims	768-4267

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