Preparing for surgery

We're very pleased that you and your physician have selected us to provide your surgical care. We feel privileged to have you as our patient and are dedicated to providing you with excellent care without exception. Advocate is dedicated to providing care that is the best for patients to heal.

Review these 3 important steps

The following is important information to prepare for your surgery:

Step 1:

Pre-registration, insurance verification, pre-authorization or pre-certification must happen before your surgery.

• The Patient Registration Department will call you to gather your insurance information.
• You may also call the Patient Registration Department to provide insurance information as soon as your surgery is scheduled.
• Many surgeries and procedures require pre-authorization / pre-certification.
• Please be sure that the office staff is contacting your insurance company for pre-authorization / pre-certification.
• Unauthorized services could result in non-payment by your insurance company. If you do not pre-authorize / pre-certify before testing and procedures, you may be financially responsible for the entire bill.
• We look forward to making your registration for surgery smooth and appreciate your partnership.

In addition, some care providers who may be part of the surgery team are not employed by Advocate Health Care, such as anesthesiologists, and may have separate contracts with managed care plans. Your coverage for these services may be different than the coverage for the hospital. Please check with your insurance carrier.

Step 2:

A pre-surgical nurse may perform a patient health history by a phone call or visit. This history provides important information used to properly prepare you, and ease the admission process on the day of surgery.

• The Patient Registration Department may schedule a nursing telephone interview after gathering your insurance information.
• Please have a list of your medications, surgeries, and physicians seen on a regular basis (including phone number) ready for the nurse interview appointment. The name and phone number of your pharmacy is also important.

Note: Your doctor may provide you with a tentative time for surgery.

• This time may change before your surgery date.
• Please do not schedule anything on the day of surgery.

Step 3:

The day before your surgery, a pre-surgery nurse will contact you with the time you must arrive at the hospital, and important information regarding eating and drinking before surgery.

• Be prepared to write down the important information given during this call.
• It is important to follow ALL the instructions given by the pre-surgery nurse to prevent delay or cancellation of your surgery.
• If you are going home the day of your procedure, arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home and be with you for 24 hours following your procedure. 

Miscellaneous: The decision on where to complete your pre-operative testing will be decided based on your insurance requirements, the surgeon, your primary care physician, and your preference.

Advance directives: You will be asked whether you have current advance directives, which include a living will or a healthcare durable power of attorney. These forms are not mandatory, but advisable for adults to have thoughtfully completed. You can download the forms below:

• Living Will  |  En Español
• Durable Power of Attorney  |  En Español