Social Services
Montefiore Medical Center has a long and distinguished history of meeting the psychosocial and home-care needs of patients and their families. Social workers in our Department of Social Services are trained to assess patient and family needs that stem from the diagnosis or treatment of an illness or as a result of a hospital stay or discharge. We help patients in our hospitals and outpatient facilities address issues such as concerns regarding finances or how to manage a loved one's care in an effort to minimize stress that may aggravate a patient's medical condition.
Any patient or family member may request to meet with a Montefiore social worker by asking the patient's doctor or nurse to have a social worker join their healthcare team. In some instances a social worker is automatically brought in as a member of the healthcare team. These situations include cases of child, elder, domestic or sexual abuse; substance abuse; or a life-threatening event. Patients or family members can request a social worker by calling any one of the following numbers, depending on the hospital:
- Montefiore Hospital: 718-920-4545
- The Children's Hospital at Montefiore: 718-741-2357
- Jack D. Weiler Hospital: 718-904-2707
- Wakefield Hospital: 718-920-9950
Social workers can provide the following services:
Discharge Planning
From the time of a patient's admission to the Hospital, the social worker will work with the doctor and the rest of the health care team to help plan for the care the patient may need when he or she leave the hospital. The social worker will meet with the patient and their family early during their hospital stay to begin planning discharge.
Patient Advocacy
As patient advocates, social workers:
- Help patients to understand their rights and responsibilities
- Educate patients regarding community resources
- Work with insurance providers to ensure that patients receive their maximum allowable benefits
- Help our patients understand the laws and regulations that regulate healthcare
Counseling Services
Montefiore's social workers are certified counselors who can identify the resources to meet a variety of patient needs. Major services include:
- Psychosocial assessment and counseling of the patient/family
- Discharge planning
- Health education
- Referrals to outpatient services
Information and Referral Services
Our social workers are highly knowledgeable about government and community entitlement programs. Working closely with national and community organizations, we assist patients and families with information and referrals to city, state and federal programs, including:
- Entitlements: cash, food, medical insurance
- Housing
- Transportation
- Mental health services
For more details on obtaining information and referral services, call 718-920-6707.
Financial Assistance
If you live in the Montefiore service area and do not have health insurance or if you are concerned that you may not be able to pay in full for your care, we can help. Our trained professionals may be able to assist you in obtaining government assistance or low-cost health insurance. We can also work with you to arrange a manageable payment plan. Montefiore provides financial assistance to patients based on their income, assets and needs.
For more information, visit Montefiore's Financial Assistance Office or call 718-944-3800.