Before You Arrive

Admitting

Your doctor’s office will handle all admission arrangements and will probably tell you when and what time to arrive at the hospital. It’s also possible that you will receive a call from the hospital to verify your specific admission time.

Insurance

Prior to admission, a UMHS representative may contact you to obtain information about insurance benefits or other payment arrangements. If your insurance requires pre-certification before admission, be sure to let your doctor's office know so arrangements can be made in a timely manner. UMHS staff may notify you before admission about any portion of your bill that will not be covered by your insurance. In that case, a deposit will be required upon admission for the amount not covered by insurance.

Checking In

Check in when you arrive at the hospital, even if your doctor or doctor's office has told you otherwise. During check-in, you will be asked to sign a patient consent form. Then, once your room is ready, you will be able to settle in.

Family Presence and Visitation

The University of Michigan Health System welcomes the presence of  loved ones because we know how important it is for their healing to family and friends with them during hospitalization, and we know that informed family members lead to better outcomes for patients. Read more about how your family and loved ones can be involved in your care.

Feeling Ill?

If, prior to admission, you have a temperature, runny nose or cough; have been exposed recently to mumps, measles, chicken pox or rubella; have vomiting, diarrhea or a rash; or have symptoms you feel would inhibit treatment, please contact your admitting physician before coming to the hospital. Any of these symptoms may result in canceling the admission, and a phone call could prevent an unnecessary trip.

Pre-Registration

A patient may be called three days before an appointment to pre-register on the phone. If you are pre-registered, you do not need to go through the registration process on the day of your visit, but you will still need to check in.

Useful Phone Numbers

  • U-M Hospitals Admissions & Bed Coordination Center: 734-936-6629
  • Mott  Admissions & Bed Coordination Center: 734-936-6039
  • Registration and Insurance Verification: 866-452-9896 or 734-936-4990
  • Department of Social Work Guest Assistance Program : 800-888-9825 or 734-764-6893

What to Bring

To help you prepare for your hospital stay, we’ve prepared the following basic list of items to bring with you. Please check with your doctor to find out if there are specific items you should or shouldn’t bring in addition to those listed on this page.

  • Health insurance cards or documentation that includes the insurance company name and policy number
  • Your U-M blue hospital registration card if you have one. If you don’t have one, you will get one when you’re here.
  • Copy of referral, if appropriate
  • Picture identification
  • A list of over-the-counter and prescription medications you have recently, or are currently, taking. Be sure to include the medication names, dosage amounts and number of times taken. Please do not bring in the medications themselves. They will be sent home or stored in Security.
  • A phone card to use when making long-distance calls.
  • Please feel free to bring any toiletry items from home that would make your stay more comfortable. There are basic toiletries available, if needed.
  • We discourage patients from bringing along personal electronic devices such as laptops, iPods, MP3 players, etc., because there are times when you will not be in your room and will not be able to secure them properly. If you do bring the items, please clearly label them with your name and information. UMHS is not responsible for loss of such items.
  • If you are using an MP3 player, video game or laptop with sound, please make sure to bring and use headphones to help us maintain an environment that is respectful to all patients and visitors.

Do Not Bring

  • Please leave valuables (i.e., jewelry, large sums of money, computers, etc.) at home. The hospital cannot assume responsibility for lost or misplaced valuables. If you must bring any of these items, we ask that you place them in the hospital safe for the duration of your stay. Credit cards should be secured on your person at all times.
  • Please do not bring your medications. Instead, bring a list of all medications you are taking.

Psychiatric Inpatients

  • Please do not bring belts, anything with a cord, including clothing with a drawstring, a walkman or tapes, or anything made of glass. Sharp items of any kind are not allowed.
  • Please do not bring drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, lighters, matches, chewing tobacco, medications (unless requested by your doctor), razors, weapons, tape recorders, televisions, computers or cameras.
  • Please limit yourself to one suitcase.
  • Pack casual and comfortable clothes for a three-to five-day stay. There are washers and dryers on the unit and soap is provided.

Mott Children's Hospital has its own guide for inpatient stays for pediatric patients.

Food Service

We prepare healthful and nutritious food, and our registered dieticians and dietary technicians make sure food is in keeping with the patient's medical condition, treatment plan, and individual preferences. Religious dietary concerns are also addressed; please talk with your nurse if you have questions. Follow this link to the Food and Nutrition while in the hospital webpage.

Amenities for Inpatients

Arts in Health

Gift of Arts Bed Side Music image
Bedside Music

Gifts of Art brings the world of art & music to Michigan Medicine.  Its programs utilize the arts to assist and enhance the healing process, reduce stress, support human dignity and renew the spirit.

Internet Access

Free, public wireless Internet access is available in nearly all U-M Health System facilities, including:

  • Main Medical Campus, including all hospitals and outpatient centers, the Cancer Center, the Cardiovascular Center and Med Inn
  • East Medical Campus
  • Many Domino's Farms clinics
  • Some U-M Health Centers in nearby communities

UMHS is not responsible for the loss of a laptop or other electronic devices.

Therapaws

We participate in Therapaws of Michigan, which sends calm, well-behaved therapy dogs and their human companions to visit patients and families in the hospital. Please note that dogs are thoroughly bathed and groomed before they come to U-M for visits. Our C.S. Mott Children's Hospitalis a favorite place for these visits. Visit the Therapaws of Michigansite for more information.