Registration
It is important that you are registered with the hospital so that we can ensure your record and all required consents are updated for your current stay. If you have not been registered within 24 hours of admission, please contact your nurse or call 617.636.6000.
During the admitting process, we will request that you review the “Registration Form” with your demographic and insurance information. We do this to ensure we have the most up-to-date information so we can contact you about your care and ensure we’re submitting a claim to the right insurance company. When information is not correct, your health plan can deny coverage and you may be responsible for the charges. After reading the statement at the bottom of the form, we also ask that you sign at each visit to allow us to submit a claim and release any relevant information to your insurer on your behalf to receive payment.
Medicare patients will also be asked to fill out a Medicare Secondary Payer Questionnaire (MSPQ form). Medicare requires that we confirm directly with you at each medical visit to determine if Medicare or another insurance plan or program should be covering the services for that particular day’s visit. It helps to ensure that services get covered and you don’t end up responsible for unpaid balances.
During the registration process we are also mandated to provide information and obtain your consent for the following:
- Notice of Privacy Practices – We need your signature upon your initial visit at Tufts Medical Center indicating that you have received the Notice of Privacy Practices, which details how your medical information may be used, and how you are able to access this information.
- E-Prescribe Consent – We need your consent to allow our doctors to send your information to your pharmacy of choice electronically for prescription requests and to use your prescription medication history from other healthcare providers for treatment purposes.
- Health Information Exchange Consent – We need your consent to allow our providers to view and send your health information through any secure means, including mail, fax, secure state-wide health information exchange known as the Massachusetts Health Information Hiway (“Mass HIway”), or other secure electronic transmission to other providers or organizations involved in your care.
Being admitted
There are a number of ways in which you may be admitted to Tufts Medical Center, please read below and find the section that best describes your individual situation.
- Planned admission after a surgery – You will be registered as a patient with Tufts Medical Center prior to your procedure by the surgical registration staff at check-in.
- Planned admission coming from home – When you arrive at the Medical Center, first go to the Admitting Office, located on the first floor of the Proger Building. You will be registered by the staff and guided to the floor where you will be staying.
- Admission from the Tufts MC Emergency Department – While you are an Emergency Department patient, the registration staff will verify your demographic, insurance and other important information, including consent for care. If you are subsequently admitted to the hospital, additional information and consents are required. An admitting representative may conduct this additional registration bedside in the ED prior to your relocation or once you have moved to the floor.
- Admission from a Tufts MC clinic – Depending on the circumstance, you may be instructed to go to the Admitting Office (Proger Building, 1st Floor) or you may be transported directly to an inpatient floor. Registration will be performed in the applicable setting.
- Admission as a direct transfer from an outside hospital or other facility – Upon accepting you as a transfer admission, the facility you were at will send Tufts MC basic demographic information they have on record for you. From this information, we will initiate your registration. Once you arrive on a floor, an admitting representative will conduct a full registration and obtain necessary consents bedside.
Once the admission process is complete:
- Our staff members will help you become familiar with your surroundings.
- You will be provided a personal hygiene packet with items including a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, socks and earplugs.
- You will receive an identification (ID) bracelet with your name, date of birth and medical record number. Please wear this band at all times for your safety and protection. Prior to any procedures, treatments or medications, we will ask you your name and other information that appears on your ID band. We know that this practice is repetitive; however, it ensures your well-being and is a critical component of our safety protocols.
- Physicians, nurses and other members of your care team will come by and talk with you about your health history and current medications you are taking.
- If you are admitted after a procedure, we may spend some time assessing your medical condition and managing any discomfort you may have.
- Don’t be afraid to ask us questions. Stay informed about your treatment. Our staff will work with you and explain any aspect of care that you do not understand.
