Surviving AmericanSurviving
American Medicine
When you listen to the political debates currently taking place, one can get the feeling that the reforms proposed by “Obamacare” and “Romneycare” are futuristic predictions and not things you need to worry about just yet. Well, you better open your eyes! The Affordable Care Act passed and is in effect – the changes are happening now!
Your physicians visits are already changing. Your doctors have more patients to see and therefore little time to talk with you; they’re forced to bring in their extenders (nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants) to finish check-ups. What does this mean for you? It means you have less time and fewer opportunities to ask crucial questions you need to ask. Questions regarding preventative actions and options – should you be screened in advance, what you should do about those nagging symptoms that just hang on? These are questions your doctor can and SHOULD help you with, only they no longer have the time.
Even more, not only is your time with your doctor truncated, but your insurance is likely- more expensive (PPOs) and probably offers you less (Medicare, lost Advantage plans for example). Finally, after you do finally pay the visit fees and briefly speak with the doctor, the hospital staff shuffles you out the door in order to accommodate the next patient.
What’s a frightened person to do, especially if you are facing a serious health challenge or chronic condition?
As I explain in my new book Surviving American Medicine, you have to become more efficient in getting all your questions answered. You need to have lists for the doctor. You need to research your condition from trusted sources. You need to know your symptoms and why they’re important. Bring an advocate with you to your appointment.
Above all, you need to rely on your whole health team: you, your doctor, your nurse, your pharmacist, your insurance company, and your hospital. Along those lines, you need to know when to trust your doctor and when to call in a second opinion. You, right now, are taking charge of your health, and part of that requires that you are able to recognize when something in your doctor has changed, and when your physician has a conflict of interest. When you need a test or treatment, you should know how to help your doctor correctly ask for authorizations, and how to effectively appeal if you get back a denial of authorization. No longer can you rely on a single person to do everything for you; you need to advocate for your own health and well-being.
The days have past when you can count on each of your doctors to do everything you need to stay healthy and avoid predictable illnesses. Often they will do well on their own, however recent studies have shown that 40-60% of the time doctors do not use the guidelines that have been developed by doctor’s own organizations to assure you get the standards of good care.
You can find the tips and information, and develop the skills you need to survive. Modern health care reform has placed responsibility for your health in your hands. Don’t drop the ball.
