BRIEF ABOUT THE INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT SERVICES?

Inpatient vs. outpatient has different meanings in the U.S. healthcare system, and that is why it is crucial to understand how both will treat the patient, whereas how and to what extent differs. That includes planning your healthcare and managing when it comes to out-of-pocket expenses related to inpatient and outpatient care.

Inpatient Care

Inpatient care starts with admission to a hospital to stay overnight or more or an inpatient facility depending upon the condition. As an inpatient, you are under in-depth observation and monitoring by doctors, nurses, and other professionals within a hospital.

Most patients enter inpatient care due to complex surgeries, serious illnesses, childbirth with or without cesarean section, traumatic injury, and rehabilitation services for a mental health illness, and substance use.

Care starts with admission to a particular service such as Cardiology, Oncology, Orthopedics, General Surgery, Neurology, etc., depending upon the treatment. It could be pre-planned like childbirth or knee replacement surgery or unplanned like heart attack, serious accident, injury, illness, etc.

Physicians keep these patients at the hospital when they need round-the-clock assistance by medical staff, monitoring, medicine, or specific medical treatment. The day you are discharged from the facility and no longer need inpatient care. Post that, the patient becomes outpatient if necessary and follows instructions on the discharge note.

Examples of inpatient care include chronic diseases like COPD, cancer, severe burns, and cosmetic procedures.

Outpatient Care

Outpatient care is also known as ambulatory care that does not require hospitalization. Outpatient care includes lab tests like a blood test, annual check-ups, X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, diagnostic tests, medical screenings like colonoscopies, mammograms, minor surgeries with less invasive techniques like mole removal, eye surgery, laser surgery, hand or foot surgery, radiation treatment, dialysis, oral surgeries like gum graft, root canal, extractions, and implants, follow-up or consultation with specialists, etc.

It involves care provided at walk-in-clinics, doctor’s offices, outpatient surgery centers, and hospitals that make it more affordable and convenient.

Cost for Inpatient & Outpatient Care

The cost for inpatient care is more than the outpatient care depending upon the surgery or treatment you are treated for adds up with the hospital care. Inpatient care costs include pharmacy costs, lab tests, specialists, technicians, nurses, radiologists, administrative fees, equipment, and supplies with admission to the hospital for medical treatment that will ultimately affect the bill.

On the other hand, outpatient care costs are considerably less, and you can control it to some extent. The price for diagnostic tests, imaging, and other radiology can vary if you shop for low-cost PET, MRIs, and CT scans. You can also expand your medical knowledge in the case of unplanned medical care like the ER or urgent care to avoid the out-of-pocket medical cost.

Also, you can check with your healthcare plan, as preventive care like colonoscopy and mammogram are 100% covered by your healthcare plan. It gives you more leverage when anticipating costs for inpatient and outpatient services.