Outpatient Services
Learning About Outpatient Services
What are outpatient services?
Outpatient services are medical procedures, surgeries, or tests that are done in a qualified medical center without the need for an overnight stay. For many of us, this means less time away from work and other commitments because many procedures and tests can now be completed in just a few hours rather than requiring a stay in a hospital. A wide range of outpatient services are now offered, including those that focus on:
- Wellness and prevention. These services may include counseling, childbirth education and delivery, diabetes education, and nutritional counseling that often includes weight loss programs.
- Diagnosis. These are services such as imaging (for example, ultrasound scans, MRIs or CT scans) and laboratory testing (such as blood tests).
- Treatment. Types of outpatient treatment vary but can include services such as outpatient surgery, cardiac catheterization, endoscopy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and pain management treatments such as an epidural, steroid injections and acupuncture.
- Rehabilitation. These services may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, drug or alcohol rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation, and home care services.
What are the benefits of choosing outpatient services?
Generally, outpatient services can be cost-effective because you are not staying overnight and are not billed for separate hospitalization charges. The staff at outpatient facilities are often highly experienced in the type of service they provide because the centers usually specialize in just one type of treatment or procedure. Outpatient services can be convenient because all the care you need is often provided in one location and the location is often closer to where you live.
Who uses outpatient services?
If the type of service is available, anyone who needs a medical procedure can choose an outpatient service center rather than a hospital. But not all medical procedures can or should be performed at outpatient service centers. For example, open-heart surgeries and brain surgeries are still performed in bigger hospitals, where a large number of emergency services are available when they are needed.
How do I know if the center is reputable?
The best way to find the highest-quality service is to investigate the outpatient center before the scheduled procedure. Many health and government agencies rate or report on the quality of outpatient service centers.
Keep in mind that your health insurance plan may only cover a specific outpatient facility. If so, your choice of centers may be limited to those covered by your plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learning about outpatient services:
Using outpatient services:
Finding an outpatient service center:
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| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS | Last Updated: April 17, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Brent Shoji, MD - General Surgery | |
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| Topic Contents | |
 | Learning About Outpatient Services |
| Types of Outpatient Services | |
| Important Considerations | |
| Quality of Outpatient Services | |
| Finding the Right Provider | |
| Other Places To Get Help | |
| References | |
| Credits | |