Your Health-Not Business As Usual

All the important decisions of our lives, with the exception of our love lives, are made based in a businesslike fashion. Using solid information gathered from the best experts we can find, we implore logic and a sensible, cool head. When it comes to our health, however, all of that goes out the window in one fell swoop!

The possibilities and fears of the unknown, absolutely send us reeling. Not to mention, sends our blood pressure through the roof and gets our heart racing. Yet we are the only ones approaching our medical concerns in this emotional fashion. The insurance companies don’t gasp when you tell them about your MRI or all the Lab work they’re doing on you. The receptionist in your doctor’s office is moving her paperwork along very orderly. Everyone is acting as if this is just business as usual!

Well, maybe we could take a lesson and deal with our health matters in more of a routine, professional manner. We might feel a bit more informed, prepared and at ease. This is calling on us to be our own patient advocate. Be our own Health Managers, so to speak. These first steps will help:

• Collect all your medical records & histories-only the past 7-10 years
• Collect all radiology studies-xrays, MRI’s, CT scans-films or disks & reports
• Have all your insurance cards, doctor’s information & copies accessible
• Plan ahead-allow 6-8 weeks to get an appointment with a specialist
• Know what time you are expected to arrive, what you should bring and where they are located.
• Take your list of questions-you have been jotting down in that time
• Ask for a 2nd opinion & literature to take with you when you leave (you won’t remember)

When you ask questions and are prepared, you feel more calm and confident. If you are hurried and unorganized, you can easily forget important questions. Remember, your consultation with the doctor is his interview! Your peace of mind is an important resource when making a delicate medical decision. You have the right to make an informed judgment about your health care provider and how he plans to care for your for your body. Now, go take care of business!