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Frequently Asked Questions

Tri-City Patients Guide

Frequently Asked Questions2020-07-24T15:31:40-07:00

Patient Questions

We ask patients bring the following information when registering:

  • Insurance card and information
  • Medicare/Medicaid card (if applicable)
  • Government issued identification
  • Name and Social Security Number
  • Physician referral forms (if required by insurance)
  • Worker’s compensation information and forms (if applicable)
  • Co-pay or deductible (if required by insurance)
  • Pre-admission form

We do not turn anyone away from our emergency room needing care because of their inability to pay. If you are unable to pay for medical care, you may qualify for free or reduced-cost medically necessary care if you:

      • Are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident living in the U.S. for a minimum of one year
      • Have no other insurance options
      • Have been denied medical assistance or fail to meet all eligibility requirements
      • Meet specific financial criteria

For more information please call 760.940.3160 and speak with a representative

Yes, but with restrictions. We understand the importance of having your loved ones at your side during the healing process. If you arrive in the Emergency Department, after a brief assessment by your team of providers, two family members will be allowed to wait with you in your treatment room. If the Emergency Department becomes full, or if a caregiver feels that you need privacy, your family members may be asked to return to the waiting area.

If you are at the hospital for a planned procedure such as surgery or childbirth, we require all visitors to check in with the front desk in the main lobby. We do have specific visiting hours and request all visitors adhere to those times for both the safety and privacy of other patients.

Read more about our Visiting Hours and Guidelines

We encourage all of our patients and their family to send us their feedback. Your suggestions help us improve our services. To leave feedback, please use the Contact Us form which can be accessed at any time via the Contact Us link at the top left of all Tri-City web pages.

If you have questions about your hospital bill, please call our Patient Financial Service Line at 760.940.7329 or 760.940.7318.

If you have questions about your physician bill, please direct your questions to that physician’s office. All physicians are independent contractors and may not have agreements with the same insurance plans as the hospital. Listed below are helpful telephone numbers for questions about physician/professional services.

      • San Diego Imaging Medical Group: 858.565.4877
      • North Coast Pathology Medical Group: 877.340.2035
      • Anesthesia Services Medical Group: 858.244.0110
      • Tri-City Emergency Medical Group: 760.439.1963

If you have questions about your outpatient bill, please direct your questions to that outpatient department.

We have a variety of health screenings available (mammogram, heart health, spine consultation), please call our health link line at 855.222.8262 and schedule a screening today.

We partner with many doctors in the North San Diego County area; you can search for a doctor or call our health link line at 855.222.8262 and be transferred to a local doctor’s office.

Visitor Questions

We have multiple parking areas at Tri-City Medical Center, please refer to the Visitor’s Guide with their locations. We also offer valet parking which can be accessed at the main entrance on the east side of campus.

Gifts are allowed on all units as are flowers, except on the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). We have a hospital gift shop located near the main lobby that offers a variety of gifts to choose from. Latex balloons are prohibited, but our gift shop does have Mylar balloons for purchase.

For the safety of our patients and staff, we require everyone entering Tri-City Medical Center to identify themselves and who they are visiting. The visitor pass will also help our staff identify you in the event you have questions or need directions on campus.

Rooms in the ICU do not have phones – any information you have will be relayed by our staff to the appropriate family member. Please call the main hospital line at 760.724.8411 and let the representative know you desire to reach the ICU.

Tri-City Medical Center is centrally located in North County San Diego in the city of Oceanside. We have partnered with many local hotels to offer discounted rates, visit our Where to Stay page for more information.

For more information on how to drive to our campus or take public transportation, visit our Getting Here page.

Medical Records Questions

Requests for copies of your medical record must be in writing, dated and signed by you or your legal guardian – no telephone requests can be honored. There is a fee to receive personal copies of a patient’s medical record. Please note, medical records will be released after discharge, not during your stay.

Visit our How to Request Your Medical Records page for more information and release authorization forms. You may also contact the Medical Records department at 760.940.3025.

Please contact our Medical Records department at 760.940.3025.

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