What is Medical Self Care Management?

Medical Self Care Management is an information and advisory program which you can use to evaluate and decide about healthcare cost and value issues that you will encounter when seeking healthcare services. It involves the process of simplifying options to determine appropriate cost of services commensurate with expected value.

As you move into the realm of consumer-driven healthcare, this becomes another perfect complement to the health insurance plan that gives more responsibility to the consumer. Remember that no one will mind your business better than you will, if you know how. This is another way to know how to handle your healthcare cost issues.

This service is a continuing process, not a one time event. Information, healthcare cost guides, newsletters and specific advisories can be accessed online.

Becoming A Savvy Healthcare Shopper:

Studies have shown that consumers who direct their own healthcare can manage their affairs effectively and at reduced costs once they learn how to be informed value shoppers. The primary problems healthcare consumers have encountered have been due to the initial learning curve.

This service plan helps consumers to better understand their healthcare options and their value propositions. In that manner, it helps them to make better decisions and to minimize their expense and time involved.

This is one of the main components of the fitness culture. It promotes an awareness capability that guides and assists individuals or employees to be successful in conducting their family healthcare affairs.

Reduce Costs By Cutting, Avoiding and Managing Medical Charges:

Reducing health costs requires two steps – shopping for value and managing medical charges and debt.

Value shopping became a misplaced art in the healthcare arena. Patients may be savvy shoppers in other retail settings, but most never ask about costs or payment terms before medical treatment. If you are spending your own money as a healthcare consumer, cost becomes a major concern.

In non-emergency circumstances, value shopping can take the form of:

• Becoming an informed shopper before buying;

• Checking on comparable costs for surgical or hospital charges;

• Confirming that physicians and service facilities are approved for your insurance;

• Confirming facility charges before treatment;

• Determining and choosing lower cost treatment or drugs that are effective.

Managing medical charges and debt requires familiarity with the healthcare system, attention to detail and persistence to get it right. You must be aware of two conditions that occur time after time.

First, overcharges, especially in a hospital, are common. Second, delays and denials of insurance claims settlements for valid claims are not uncommon. In both situations, do not give the benefit of doubt to the service provider, vendor or insurance company until you understand and are completely satisfied.

Healthcare Expense Management Examples:

• Expect hospital overcharges and phantom charges. Have the mindset that bills are confusing on purpose. Demand an itemized bill that is clear and understandable;

• Keep your own log of in-hospital tests, medications, treatments and services. Compare with your bill. Expect discrepancies that will never be in your favor;

• Never pay your bill before leaving the hospital, even if that’s their policy. Your policy, as buyer, is to get, review and approve all charges under calm and deliberate circumstances;

• You will receive an Explanation of Benefits, EOB, from your insurance carrier. Keep it as part of your records. Compare charges and insurance claims paid;

• Always question items you do not understand or that are described as “lab fees” or “miscellaneous fees”. Demand specific and clear itemization, then confirm them as valid;

• If your health insurance claim has been denied or delayed for reasons you do not understand, question it until your are satisfied. If necessary, get help from your advocates.

For ideas on Self Care Prevention, go to Prevention.

To learn about our Patient Care Plan services, go to Patient Care Plan.

For information on the Elder Care and Caregiver Plan, go to Elder Care Plan.

If you have questions or need additional information, go to our Contact Us Form.

WARNING: NEVER CANCEL YOUR CURRENT INSURANCE UNTIL REPLACEMENT COVERAGE IS APPROVED AND IN PLACE.

To get a health plan quote, go to Individual Health Plan Quotes or to Family Health Plan Quotes.

If you are interested in a group health plan quote, go to Group Quote Guide.

To get a Health and Fitness Assistance Proposal, go to Personal Health and Fitness Plan Request.