|
Smart Patient Guide
Creating a Health Journal
Each day our registration staff helps guide patients through the healthcare process. Many times this process can seem very confusing and even frustrating. All this week we will give you some tips on how to be a smart patient and how to avoid becoming confused over your healthcare. One very important thing you can do is be informed about yourself and your health by creating a health journal. A health journal is a complete record of your health that you keep yourself. A journal helps you keep track of every aspect of your health. By recording your health history, you can keep track of illnesses, medications, and treatments. Take your journal with you to doctor's appointments to help you provide your doctor with exact information about your health. Keeping track of your health history helps you to be an informed, knowledgeable patient. Entries in your journal might include: illnesses or injuries, hospitalizations, surgeries, allergies, medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking, diseases or illnesses in your immediate family and be sure to keep track of the dates of your entries. This is just one way of becoming a smart patient.
 For more information on creating a Health Journal, Click Here
Choosing a Family Doctor
Choosing a family doctor is an important decision for you and your family. Family doctors create caring relationships with patients and their families and really get to know their patients. That's why it is important to choose a doctor that makes you feel comfortable and one you can talk with easily. Family doctors are trained in all areas of medicine and can diagnose and treat a full range of problems. Remember, it takes time to build a relationship; however, here are a few things to look for when considering a family doctor. Make sure you're comfortable talking to the doctor; make sure the doctor answers all your questions and explains things so that you can understand and make sure that the doctor allows enough time to answer all your questions. Four providers offer family healthcare services at the Goodland Family Health Center. Dr. Moe Shafei, Dr. David Younger and Dr. Travis Daise as well as Jackie Jorgensen, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, are available to help you make the right health choices to keep you and your family healthy. Goodland Family Health Center hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To make an appointment with one of the healthcare providers, please call (785) 890-6075.
Click here to find a doctor in your area
Tips for Talking to Your Doctor
Taking an active role in your health care can help you get the best care possible from your doctor. Here are some tips to help you and your doctor improve your health care together.
Know your health history
Clearly describe symptoms
Include personal information including whether you are under stress or if your lifestyle has changed
List of current medication
Side affects from medicines or allergies
Vitamins or supplements you are taking
X-rays, test results or any other medical records
Don't be afraid to ask questions and be sure to ask every time you do not understand
Ask for written information to take home with you - either instructions or informational material that will further explain your condition or treatment
Be sure to follow up either by scheduling an appointment or by contacting your doctor if you start to feel worse or have problems with your medicine.
Taking an active role in your healthcare is not hard and will help you feel more confident if you ever face a medical crisis.
Click here for more tips
Be an Active Member of Your Health Team
The single most important way to avoid confusion when dealing with your health is by becoming an active member of your health care team. That means taking part in every decision about your health care. Patients who are move involved with their care tend to make better decisions and are happier with their results. Here are some ways to be an active member of your health care team:
Keep your health care providers informed - make sure all of the health professionals involved in your care have important health information about you, including prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines you are taking, allergies or other adverse reactions.
Ask for information in terms you can understand - including information about medicines or other special instructions
Don't be afraid to ask questions - even if you have to ask several times, make sure you understand
Take responsibility for your health care - speak up with concerns or questions, ask a family member or friend to attend doctor visits or hospital visits to help you
Learn more about your condition and the tests and treatments recommended - ask your doctor or nurse to provide you with reliable sources to get more information.
For more tips click here
Understanding Your Medical Bills
Becoming a Smart Patient doesn't just apply to when you are at the doctor's office or hospital, but also after those appointments when you are trying to understand your medical bills. After your doctor's appointment, your doctor's office submits a bill, or claim, to your insurance company. A claim lists the services your doctor provided to you. The insurance company uses the information in the claim to pay the doctor for those services. When the insurance company pays your doctor, it might send you a report called an Explanation of Benefits, which shows you what it did. This is not a bill. Your doctor's office may send you a statement. If you receive the statement before your insurance company pays your doctor, you do not need to pay the amounts listed at that time. After your insurance company pays your doctor, you may need to pay the doctor any balance due. Here are a few things to keep in mind when reviewing your medical billings:
If the dates of service and description of services on your Explanation of Benefits and billing statement aren't the same, contact your doctor's office
If you have questions about why your insurance company did not cover something or about the amount you have to pay, contact your insurance company
If more than 60 days have passed and your insurance company still hasn't paid your doctor, contact your insurance company.
Keep all your insurance and doctor's statements filed by date so you can access them easily should questions arise.
For your convenience, GRMC offers online bill pay for both hospital and physician clinic statements. If you have a questions regarding your bill at GRMC, please call us at (785) 890-3625 and ask for Patient Billing and Insurance.
 |
|
