Smoking

In accordance with new municipal law, and in the best health interests of our patients, smoking anywhere on hospital grounds is prohibited.

Social Work Department
Social Workers are specially educated professionals who are available to you and your family to help with your care, and assist with social or personal problems. Social workers oversee the discharge planning process and arrange for post-hospital services, home care services, and nursing home transfers. For example, if you need special equipment in order to go home safely, social workers make the necessary arrangements. If you wish to see a Social Worker, ask your doctor or nurse or call the Social Services Department at (718) 918-5387.

Spiritual Care
Jacobi Medical Center has Catholic, Jewish, Protestant and Muslim chaplains.  Please speak with your nurse if you would like to see a Chaplain or attend services.  The Catholic, Jewish and Protestant chapels are located in Building #1, 2nd Floor. The Muslim Mosque is located in Building #1, 3 West.

• Catholic Mass is held Monday through Friday at 12:30 p.m., Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m.
• Jewish Services are held Monday through Friday at 1:45 p.m.
• Protestant Services are held on Tuesday at 12 Noon.
• Muslim Services are scheduled in accordance with the Islamic lunar calendar.

Interpreter Services
Sensitive to the needs of the multicultural community we serve, Jacobi is proud of its Interpreter Services. We offer certified medical interpreters in more than 150 languages to facilitate communication between patients and providers. The communication needs of deaf patients are also well provided for. Jacobi offers a state-of-the-art video conferencing unit which provides instantaneous, live, American Sign Language interpreters, 24 hours per day. Tell your nurse if you would like an interpreter.

Know Your Rights
View the Patient Bill of Rights.

Patient Representatives  
Patient Representatives are available to assist you with any questions, concerns, or problems you may have regarding hospital services, patient care, patient safety, or any special needs. They can arrange for translation services, notary services, or chaplain visits. They can explain your rights as a patient, address complaints, or assist with any ethical issues which may arise during your stay.

To speak with a Patient Representative, simply ask any staff member to contact the Patient Relations office on your behalf, or you may contact the office directly by calling (718) 918-5245.

Complaints can also be referred to: New York State (NYS) Department of Health Centralized Hospital Intake Program, 433 River Street, 6th Floor, Troy, New York 12180  Phone: (800) 804-5447.

How to Pay Your Bill/Financial Services
Patients should carry insurance cards at all times. Not every insurance plan pays for all charges, diagnoses, or conditions, and there may be deductibles or co-pays. Also for some plans, it is the responsibility of the patient or policy holder to inform their insurer in a timely manner regarding most hospitalizations, particularly elective hospital admissions. If it is determined a patient has no insurance coverage, the hospital staff will discuss with you the various alternatives available to resolve the outstanding bill. This could include reduced charges and payment over an extended period of time. The hospital Patient Accounts staff will help to answer questions related to any patient's bill. For questions about inpatient bills, call (718) 918-4701. For questions about Emergency Department or outpatient bills, call (718) 918-4710.

Financial Assistance for Those in Need:
As a member facility of the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation, Jacobi Medical Center has long set an example of how all people - regardless of their ability to pay or their immigration status - should be served. Our financial assistance program far exceeds NYS requirements for providing charity care, reduces disparities to access by assisting eligible patients to obtain public health insurance, and provides discounted services to uninsured patients.