Choosing the right healthcare provider is essential to your overall health. Doctors should be interested in your personal goals and do what is necessary to ensure your quality of life. As a patient, you should be able to trust your provider and rely on them to provide you with exceptional care and thorough education on any existing conditions or concerns.
Choosing a healthcare provider or starting a new healthcare journey can be scary. You will face questions such as: What doctor should you use? Do you need a specialist? Should you seek traditional or alternative medicine? These are all questions I had to answer at the start of my journey, so today, I am sharing a few tips to ensure you make informed medical decisions and chose the best healthcare provider for yourself.
Research
First, conduct research on your healthcare provider before your FIRST appointment. Typically you can find biographies on providers – Read Them! Know where your provider is from and their educational background. Get an understanding of their professional healthcare goals and experiences. Providers will often discuss why they chose the medical field – particularly that specialty. Knowing that your provider is passionate about helping others instills confidence in trusting their medical decisions and recommendations.
Insurance policies will sometimes dictate which providers you may use; or where you can go to receive care. If your insurance dictates where or whom you can go for care- you can still gather information before choosing a provider. Contact your insurance company and ask for a list of providers in-network with your insurance in your area. Then you will have a list of providers to choose from and not worry about whether they are in your insurance network.
Insurance
Understanding insurance, your policy, in particular, is imperative. Insurance companies are sneaky and will sell you a policy without explaining your benefits. First, it is essential to pay attention to the deductible. The deductible is an amount you must pay out-of-pocket before the insurance company makes payments. A single, healthy young adult does not need a $10,000 deductible. The deductible you pick should reflect how often you anticipate using your health insurance for the year. If you anticipate only using your insurance for annual visits, then a policy with a low deductible is best. Families or individuals who frequently use their insurance will benefit from having a policy with a high deductible.
Next, pay attention to your policy benefits. For example, having access to specialists is critical since I have endometriosis. When choosing an insurance policy, I see if there are limits on the number of specialist visits and the co-payment amount. Some insurance policies will limit the number of times you can see a specific provider within a year. Specialist visits sometimes have an increased co-payment amount. The co-payment amount for a specialist visit can exceed fifty dollars per visit.
Advocacy
Being your advocate is crucial to your overall health! Do not be afraid to stand up for yourself. No one knows your body the way you do! Ask questions, as many as it takes for you to comprehend. Tell the truth, and answer all questions honestly. Be transparent regarding your symptoms or concerns. Doctor’s appointments are not the place nor the time to be strong. Be vulnerable and allow a comprehensive view of your health. Set a health goal for yourself. If your provider cannot assist you in meeting your goals, find a new doctor.
Furthermore, if you sense your provider is not listening to you, advocating for you, or having your best interest at heart – find a new provider! Discussing your healthcare concerns can be scary. The last thing you need is a provider who does not make you feel comfortable or does not listen to you.
Weighing Your Options
Lastly, listen to your healthcare provider. However, always weigh your options. Consider how you can make lifestyle changes to increase your quality of life. Diet and exercise alone provide exceptional health benefits. Take advantage of alternative and holistic medicine options. Seeing a chiropractor or an acupuncturist are two alternative medical options. I have tried acupuncture for my endometriosis pain. Unfortunately, I did not keep going back regularly to see a decrease in pain. However, it is something that I would do again.
Research. Research. Research. You never know what you may find. I would recommend discussing any drastic lifestyle changes with your provider. For example, you find a supplement(s) that you think will benefit you. Before using them, inform your provider. Allow them the opportunity to ensure this will provide positive results for you and not interfere with your daily activities or progress.
Choosing a Healthcare Provider
Head over to the Black Women Feel Pain Too Facebook group. Here we share tips, ideas, and suggestions for women who struggle with healthcare decisions.