How to Be a Good Consumer

Health care is a dominant issue in our society.  Various groups are working hard to improve health care quality.You can play an important role by making informed decisions about your personal healthcare needs.  Research has shown that if you are more involved in your healthcare, you can get better results and feel more satisfied.

Here are a few tips to help you be a better consumer:

• If the doctor needs to draw blood and can do it in the office, it is in the member's best interest to ask if the doctor has a phlebotomist on staff. This is someone who draws blood. If the answer is "yes," the doctor will not bill separately. If there is an office visit copay the lab work will be included in the office visit copay. Another way to phrase the question is to have the patient ask "Is the lab work billed separate from the office visit?"
• Always confirm that your doctor is sending you to a network lab facility...always take an updated provider list to every doctor visit as well as an updated drug list. Keep it in your car.
• The emergency room is the most expensive place you can go to for medical care. Only use the ER for emergencies.The hospital is the second most expensive place to receive treatment.
• Ask your doctor if there is a free standing facility he will approve that can perform the required treatment/tests. Urgent care facilities are great alternatives to the ER. If your condition is not an emergency, take advantage of the Nurse Line. Also, mail order drug programs can greatly reduce the cost of your maintenance drugs.
• Looking to quit smoking? Some carriers have smoking cessation programs that save you money on the cost of nicotine gum etc.

The following links will help you become a better healthcare consumer:

• Discount Pharmacy Programs
• Finding Dr Right 
• Checklist: Being a Smart Patient
• Checklist: Test 
• Good Questions and Answers 

Have you tried Walgreen's Take Care Clinic?
 

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