Health Bytes

The explosion in the health care and related industries was literally created by a big BOOM. I’m speaking of course, of our rapidly aging Baby Boomer generation. As they age and approach retirement, Boomers require increased access to more health products, doctors, prescriptions, therapists, surgeries and skilled nursing. These are basic services expanding.  There are many more health related services and products springing up.

While providing growth, employment and business entrepreneurs exponential opportunities, they spring to life amid a dark cloud of flaws.  New companies and expanding existing health providers are certainly in demand.  There are no shortage of customers these days.

The problem is in the ability of Medicare, private insurances and government sponsored health plans to pay for it all. A small percentage of health consumers are well able to afford the services and care they require.  Insurance benefits are covering less and less.  Premiums for member coverage seems to have gone as high as they can.  Instead, they have begun systematically denying coverage for services. More and more individuals are dropping coverage for lack of affordability in the face of our economic down turn.  Federal, state and local health programs are running and ducking from the axe, in the name of balancing government budgets.

Who will pay for all the new and improved health products and services?  Some companies and individuals are turning to HSA’s (Health Savings Accounts).  This may be an alternative, but no clear ‘bail out’ is apparent here.  Not yet.

The “boom” in the health care industry just might blow up in our face if we’re not careful.

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!