Today there are so many different treatment options available to consumers of health care, many of which are expensive. Both patients and their health care providers can be overwhelmed by the available choices. “Back in the day,” if you had diabetes and needed insulin, your options were clear or cloudy (Regular or NPH, respectively). Now there are over a dozen insulins available to choose from with more on the way.
How do consumers of health care make sure they are getting the best treatment for their specific issues and being mindful of their costs? How do they get their biggest bang for their buck, so to say?
If you find yourself or your loved one in need of care but overwhelmed by the different treatment options, consider asking these questions:
Tests:
Testing is often essential to diagnose and evaluate treatment effectiveness. However, there are times when patients are subjected to tests without an understanding of their purpose. This can add costs, inconvenience and sometimes pain to a person unnecessarily.
When a test is ordered, consider asking your physician these questions:
- What information do you hope to gain from this test? Knowing why the physician wants the test and what he or she hopes to learn from it may help you to decide if that is what is best for you. Agreeing to a colonoscopy because you have blood in your stool may be important if your physician is trying to determine if you have colon cancer or a bleeding polyp.
- Are there any other tests less costly and/or invasive that could give you the information you need? Some physicians want to go for the “Cadillac” of tests when a simpler, less costly test might work just as well. Can a simple X-ray help to diagnose a problem instead of an MRI?
- How often will this test be needed? Especially with blood work – some tests need to be repeated at certain intervals. Asking the question will help you to understand the importance of complying with the testing schedule. For example, patients that take Warfarin need to have their blood work check at frequent intervals, especially when the medication is started or doses are changing. Not having lab testing done at the right time can put the patient at risk for bleeding or blood clots.
- Is this test absolutely necessary for you to diagnosis and/or evaluate treatment effectiveness? For some illnesses, especially involved the joints, physicians can make a diagnosis without subjecting the patient through multiple tests. For example, joint swelling in a weight-bearing joint in somebody that has a history of arthritis, may just be, more arthritis. Getting an MRI of that joint may not be necessary.
Make sure you have a good understanding of each test and the role they play in your plan of care.
Medications:
There are a plethora of medications on the market today. Not only is it overwhelming for patients but it can be overwhelming for physicians too. Which one to pick, how expensive is it, and what are the side effects are questions both you and your physician need to ask before making a decision.
If you are prescribed a new medication, consider asking your physician these questions:
- Is this medication really necessary? This is especially true with antibiotics. Many people expect an antibiotic to treat the common cold. However, like the saying goes, “If you have a cold and do nothing, it will last 7 days. If you have a cold and take an antibiotic, it will last a week.” Sometimes, medications aren’t necessary at all.
- Are there lower cost alternatives? Your physician might not be aware of your prescription coverage and may prescribe an expensive drug when a low cost, alternative such as a generic product might work just as well.
- How will this medication interfere with my other medications (if applicable)? It’s important to let your physician know every medication and vitamin you take – that includes over the counter and any herbal remedies. Don’t wait for them to ask you. There can be significant interactions that may have a negative impact on your treatment.
- Are there any specific instructions when taking this drug? Many medications need to be taking a specific way - with food, without food, anytime during the day, at intervals, etc. For some, if you don’t take them exactly that way, it may be as if you are not taking them at all. (ex. Synthroid must be taken on an empty stomach).
For many of us, these are simple questions we can ask with potential huge pay offs. However, if you are not able or have a loved one that you are not able to be with, consider hiring an advocate. A patient advocate understands the questions to ask and can be another partner making sure you or your loved one receives the best care.
The key is to ask. Be a partner with your health care providers. Together, you can make sure you are getting your biggest bang for your buck!
Take care and be well
R. Thompson, MSN, RN
To find out how advocacy can help you or your loved one, please contact the advocates at Uppta at www.uppta.com.
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