# Presentation: 263050

## Be a Smart Health Care Consumer

- Be a Smart Health Care Consumer

- Presented by yourCIGNA Employee Assistance Program

- Copyright 2008 CIGNA HealthCare – Confidential & Privileged – Not for Distribution

**Wellness Seminar**

## Seminar Goals

- The role and characteristics of a smart health care consumer
- The role you play in reducing medical errors
- How to become active, responsible, accountable, and vocal in all aspects of your health care
- The importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle
- Who to call when you need help

**You will learn:**

## The Smart Health Care Consumer...

- Selects health care providers with great care
- Gets appropriate health screenings
- Practices self-care
- Seeks reliable sources of information
- Takes an active role when problems arise
- Is wary of treatments that lack scientific research
- Maintains a healthy lifestyle
- Understands the economic aspects of health care
*Source: Consumer Health: A Guide to Intelligent Decisions, 2000*

## Obtaining and Maintaining Medical Records

- Impact of HIPAA on medical record-keeping
- Compile a personal health file and update after each visit, including:
- List of all health care providers
- Vaccination records
- Health history
- Discharge summaries
- Lab and x-ray reports
- Correspondence and authorization forms
*Source: Fitness: Safeguard Your Health, 2004*

## Choosing a Physician – Part One 

- Ask family, friends, co-workers who they prefer
- Ask health care workers, e.g., at the local hospital
- Choose (or stay with) a doctor who:
- Seems intelligent and knowledgeable
- Is sincere and empathic
- Provides competent back-up after hours and when on vacation
- Is up-to-date on health-related issues
- Is honest about the limitations of what they can do for you
- Provides clear explanations of your problems and available treatments
- Takes steps to prevent illness

## Choosing a Physician – Part Two

- Once you have a physician you are interested in, find out:
- Are they Board Certified?
- You can call 800-776-2378 to find out.
- Are they accepting new patients?
- Have complaints been registered, or disciplinary action taken, against them?
- Check with your state medical licensing board
- Are they in-network; do they participate with your insurance plan?
- What hospitals are they affiliated with, in case you need that level of care?
- Do they have the staff and facilities to do some lab work on premises?

## Office-Visit Strategies: Maximizing Your 15 Minutes

- Bring a support person
- Ask open-ended questions; avoid leading questions
- Ask: “What are the most important things I need to remember?”
- Question the effectiveness of different procedures, tests, consultations and medications
- Take notes
- Get a second opinion when:
- You are concerned about a procedure
- You have a life-threatening condition or risk of increased disability
*Source: Managing Your Own Health Care, 2005*

**Office-Visit Strategies: Maximizing Your 15 Minutes**

## Health Care Safety – Preventing Medical Errors

- Ask questions and voice your concerns
- Triple-check your prescriptions
- Keep track of your test results
- Understand your course of treatment
- Choose a hospital that has experience in your procedure
- Understand how to prepare for surgery
- Ask about proper care *after* a hospital stay
- If problems occur, don’t ignore them...
- Observe and record symptoms
- Visit a physician

## Preventive Health Guidelines

- Periodic health examinations are an important part of preventive care:
- Preventive measures can be prescribed for risk factors
- Most medical conditions can be treated more successfully if caught early
- Be sure to schedule regular exams with your doctor and discuss what screenings and immunizations are appropriate to your age, gender, and health history.

## Tips to Staying Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

- Get a flu shot or nasal flu vaccine every year
- Wash your hands regularly with anti-microbial soap or gel
- Wipe down phones, doorknobs, appliances, keyboards, desks, etc. with disinfectant wipes
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Avoid crowds and using glasses, mugs, pens, keyboards, etc. after someone who coughs or sneezes
- Keep up your resistance by eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of fluids, getting enough rest, and getting regular exercise

## Seven Goals for Healthy Living

- Don’t use tobacco or illicit drugs, and limit alcohol use
- Get regular exercise and maximize physical activity in general
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Get adequate rest
- Eat more fruits and vegetables
- Eat more whole-grain breads and cereals
- Choose healthy fats

## Ways to Reduce Your Out-of-Pocket Health Care Costs

- Save on medications: check generics, mail-order, and formulary
- Talk to your doctor about your benefit plan
- Use in-network doctors and facilities
- Grab the phone before the car keys
- Go to the most appropriate and cost-effective place for your condition
- Read your medical bills and explanation of benefits forms (EOBs)
- Use a Flexible Spending Account to save on your tax bill

## Help for Consumers 

- Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
- _[www.hcqualitycommission.gov/cborr](http://www.hcqualitycommission.gov/cborr)_
- Federal Consumer Information Center
- _[http://](http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/)__[www.pueblo.gsa.gov](http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/)__[/](http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/)_
- Consumer Product Safety Commission
- _[http://](http://www.cpsc.gov/)__[www.cpsc.gov](http://www.cpsc.gov/)__[/](http://www.cpsc.gov/)_
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- _[http://](http://www.fda.gov/)__[www.fda.gov](http://www.fda.gov/)__[/](http://www.fda.gov/)_
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- _[http://](http://www.ftc.gov/)__[www.ftc.gov](http://www.ftc.gov/)__[/](http://www.ftc.gov/)_

## Summary

- Consumers play a key role in all aspects of health care delivery.
- Practicing self-care allows you to take control of your health.
- Learning how to use health care services helps to maximize your benefits.
- Preventing medical errors is everyone's responsibility.
- Leading a healthy lifestyle reduces your risk for the leading causes of preventable death.
- Becoming a wise health care consumer is an important step toward leading a long and healthy life.