COUNCIL ON AGING - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA STEP 3: Find and compare hospitals based on your condition and needs Visit Medicare.gov to: n Find hospitals by name, city, state, or ZIP code. n Check the results of patient surveys (what patients said about their hospital experience). n Compare the results of certain measures of quality that show how well these hospitals treat patients with certain conditions. n Search online for other sources to compare the quality of the hospitals you're considering. Some states have laws that require hospitals to report data about the quality and cost of their care and post the data online. STEP 4: Discuss your hospital options and choose a hospital n Talk with family members or friends about the hospitals you're comparing. n Talk to your doctor or health care provider about how the hospital information you gathered applies to you. n Considering all the above factors, choose the hospital that's best for you. Look for a hospital that has the best experience with your condition. Checks and improves the quality of its care. Performs well on measures of quality, including a national patient survey. Visit Hospital Compare at Medicare.gov/ hospitalcompare. Participates in Medicare (and your Medicare health plan if you have one). Meets your needs in terms of location and factors like visiting hours. n Getting quality hospital care may help with your recovery and help you avoid other problems. Visit Medicare.gov/care-compare to see quality measures. Reprinted from Medicare & You Handbook. For additional information visit https://www.medicare.gov/publications/10181Guide-to-Choosing-a-Hospital.pdf. or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) Council On Aging - Southern California | 714-479-0107 | www.coasc.org Answers Guide 23/24 69 INSURANCEhttp://www.Medicare.gov http://www.Medicare.gov/hospitalcompare http://www.Medicare.gov/hospitalcompare http://www.Medicare.gov/care-compare https://www.medicare.gov/publications/10181-Guide-to-Choosing-a-Hospital.pdf. https://www.medicare.gov/publications/10181-Guide-to-Choosing-a-Hospital.pdf. http://www.coasc.org