If you want to get the most out of your health provider visits, you have to become a more informed health care consumer. Most visits to the doctor’s office are short and you probably spend more time in the waiting room than you do in the exam room. Once you finally make it to the exam room you may be only allotted a short amount of time, so it’s very important to be prepared.  With a little groundwork you can get the most out of your doctor’s visit.  You will feel the benefits of your time spent there and the benefits of being on top of your health. Most of it has to do with knowing the best questions to ask so because of that I’ve created this list to prepare for a new health care provider visit. 

1.       What is your general philosophy about health care?

2.       What are your credentials or board certification?

3.       How much time can I expect to have with you during each appointment?

4.       How many questions or health concerns should I discuss with you in one appointment?

5.       Knowing that you are extremely busy, what can I do to make sure we both make the most of our appointment time?

6.       If I need to get a hold of you after hours or for an emergency what is the procedure?

7.       From your perspective, what is the biggest health problem I’m at risk for today, and what are the most important things I can do to stay vital and healthy?

8.       What are your thoughts about alternative therapies such as herbal supplements, massage therapy, acupuncture, etc., as part of a treatment plan?

9.       What is your policy for working out a payment plan if I fall on hard times and my insurance won’t pay for a particular service?

10.   I’d like to work with you as a partner in my health care. Please feel free to give me “homework” assignments if you feel I need to do some research in order to make good decisions for myself.

11.   Is there anything else I should know about your practice and your philosophy regarding health care? (Note: Always check to see if the provider accepts your insurance.)

Eileen Kollmeyer

My Wise Guides

Email:  eileenk@mywiseguides.com

Phone:  206-369-5305

www.mywiseguides.com

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Posted by:  Julie Dybbro, ARNP, PhD(c)
Complete Women’s
Health Care
Olympia, WA

In today’s world many of us are scrambling to do as much as we can in each day. The time we get to spend with our health care provider is short and we need to make the most of every appointment. Preparing for your visit is a great way to get the most out of your short time with your provider. Get ready by documenting your problem, the issues you have faced, the things you’ve done to help get better, and the way you’ve felt. You will also want to have a list of questions to ask as well as an update of your current medications and vitamins to share. This preparation will help ensure that you are prepared for your appointment and will give you a much better chance of receiving an accurate diagnosis.

Appointment Guide

· Have your questions ready in advance to make sure you ask everything you want to know.

· You may have several health issues to discuss, but in order to get maximum care you will want to make sure to focus on one or two problems at each appointment. If you have several issues you might want to ask for a longer appointment or schedule a second appointment. Prioritize your list!

· Bring a list of all the medications, vitamins, or herbal remedies you are currently taking along with dosage and frequency. See Medication and Vitamins section of this binder.

· At the end of your appointment write down your next appointment – date, time, and reason.

Health care coverage is a hot topic and that should be of interest to all of us. Health care costs are high and getting higher, and on top of that, we’re shouldering more of the costs. It is important to track your insurance claims; reviewing what was covered and what was not. You may find that a claim was denied when it should have been paid. You deserve your rightful coverage, so keep track of all claims and payments! If there is a discrepancy – even if you’re not actually sure but simply have a hunch – write a letter to your insurance company asking for clarification.

Insurance Information

Keep your policy information and numbers in one place. Important Tip: Make copies of your policies (the detailed list of what is covered and what isn’t) as well as a copy of all health care providers in the network.

2. Insurance Claim Tracker

Keep  track the dates, statement numbers, total amount billed, and what the insurance paid. It is important to keep this up-to-date because you may be shocked at some of the discrepancies that will occur.

3. Insurance Interaction Log

Keep an insurance interaction log and track the calls or letters you’ve sent to the insurance company. It is very important to keep a log of all interaction.

Hints:

Make a copy of your insurance card AND your insurance policies and place them in this section of your Health File. These will come in handy if you need to look up a procedure that might or might not be covered.

If you have concerns about claims that are denied it is in your best interest to dispute the claim.

Keep copies and notes on ALL correspondence.

Eileen Kollmeyer

My Wise Guides

Email:  eileenk@mywiseguides.com

Phone:  206-369-5305

www.mywiseguides.com

http://www.mywiseguides.com/card_form.php

Complete the emergency card, print it and put it in your wallet. Send each member of your family to My Wise Guides to fill out a card for themselves. They are sized to fit conveniently into a wallet or business card case. Your personal emergency contacts, your health care professionals, medication and vitamins you are currently taking, etc. will be available if needed. This card could save your life!

Peace of mind is priceless…

Eileen Kollmeyer
My Wise Guides
Email: eileenk@mywiseguides.com
Phone: 206-369-5305
www.mywiseguides.com

• Stimulate action steps to organization
• Promote synergy, cooperation and collaboration
• Provide resources for personal productivity and empowerment
• Encourage personal responsibility to plan and achieve life’s goals

Eileen Kollmeyer
My Wise Guides
Email: eileenk@mywiseguides.com
Phone: 206-369-5305
www.mywiseguides.com

Appointment Guide

• Have your questions ready in advance to make sure you ask everything you want to know.

• You may have several health issues to discuss, but in order to get maximum care you will want to make sure to focus on one or two problems at each appointment. If you have several issues you might want to ask for a longer appointment or schedule a second appointment. Prioritize your list!

• Bring a list of all the medications, vitamins, or herbal remedies you are currently taking along with dosage and frequency. See Medication and Vitamins section of this binder.

• At the end of your appointment write down your next appointment – date, time, and reason.

Click here for the My Wise Guides FREE Appointment Guide

Eileen Kollmeyer
My Wise Guides
Email: eileenk@mywiseguides.com
Phone: 206-369-5305
www.mywiseguides.com

Our guiding principles are based on a set of core beliefs that guide our practice in business as they do in life. These are:

• Increase the well being of others
• Be kind and keep a charitable mind
• Value all monetary obligations
• Share profits with all who helped create them
• Give 10% of profits to charity
• Act with composure
• Identify and make the most of social, cultural, religious, gender and other differences
• Speak truthfully in all communications
• Be totally upfront in all business dealings
• Promote cooperation
• Create opportunities for leadership and involvement
• Speak with respect and reverence
• Treat each other with kindness and honor
• Find happiness in what is
• Possess an attitude of gratitude
• Celebrate the achievements of others
• Promote the fact that there is wealth enough for all to grow and enjoy
• See the hidden potential in all things
• Say yes to life and expect miracles

Eileen Kollmeyer
My Wise Guides
Email: eileenk@mywiseguides.com
Phone: 206-369-5305
www.mywiseguides.com

There are many more medical sites on the Internet but I  think these are the best.

National Library of Medicine

www.nlm.nih.gov/ The most comprehensive source of medical literature on-line.

The Merck Manual

www.merck.com A popular medical reference book.

Health Finder

www.healthfinder.gov/ is a Federal Web site for comsumers, developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services together with other Federal Agencies. Since 1997, healthfinder.gov has been recognized as a key resource for finding the best government and non-profit health and human services information on the internet.

Clinical Trials

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ Up-to-date resource on clinical trials information being conducted around the country.

Food and Drug Administration

www.fda.gov/ Government site for drugs and medical information.

The Mayo Clinic

www.mayoclinic.com/ This world-renowned facility is a great place for information on all kinds of health issues and illnesses. Appointments can be made to be seen no matter where you live.

Cleveland Clinic

www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/diseasemanagement/ One of the best medical and research facilities in the Nation. Specialists from all disciplines can be sought for advice and treatment.

Medical Journals from the American Medical Association

http://pubs.ama-assn.org/ Great links to medical journals in a variety of disciplines.

Centers for Disease Control

www.cdc.gov/ A premier U.S. health agency for investigation of epidemic. If you have traveled, gotten sick, or have a mysterious condition, you should contact the CDC to ensure you are not spreading a pathogen to the public.

Web MD

www.webmd.com/ Great site for the layperson to seek numerous sources for medical information and support.

Eileen Kollmeyer

My Wise Guides

Email:  eileenk@mywiseguides.com

Phone:  206-369-5305

www.mywiseguides.com

Managing and tracking your own health issues or concerns is very important. Trackers will give your provider a clear and comprehensive picture of your situation and make it easier to recommend necessary steps towards healing. This proactive role will help you partner with your provider in order to make better decisions about your health care. Here are some of the trackers I’ve made available in the My Wise Guides Health File (see “products” tab on this blog).

1. Blood Pressure Tracker

Follow your blood pressure – systolic and diastolic – especially if you have a history of high blood pressure. This information will be very important at each health care visit.

2. Blood Sugar Tracker

If you have been diagnosed with high blood sugar you will want to track your blood sugar level throughout the day. Change the times to make them work for you.

3. Exercise Tracker

Take your weight and measurements on a weekly basis to show yourself and health care provider your progress.

4. Imaging/Nuclear Medicine

Track your x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, PET scans, etc.

5. Shots and Immunizations Tracker

This handy schedule and chart will assist you in keeping track of shots or immunizations. We’ve included schedules from the Department of Health and Human Services – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for your reference.

6. Surgeries and Hospitalizations Tracker

Keep track of any surgery you have had or reasons you’ve been hospitalized.

7. Tests & Procedures Tracker

Keep track of any and all tests you might have (i.e.: blood tests, urine tests, colonoscopy, etc.)

8. Therapy Tracker

 Keep track of physical therapy or physiological therapy appointments.

9. Yearly Physical Tracker

Maintain a yearly physical tracker so you can see how your health improves (or declines) every year.

Keep trackers in a place that will be easy to access on a daily basis.

Eileen Kollmeyer

My Wise Guides

Email:  eileenk@mywiseguides.com

Phone:  206-369-5305

www.mywiseguides.com