Better Results Through Medical Self Care Prevention

What is Medical Self Care Prevention? It is an information program which you can use to evaluate and decide about health issues that you may encounter on an any day basis. It involves the decision-making approach to simplify options and to determine appropriate use of services commensurate with symptoms. In effect, it helps you become an informed healthcare consumer.

As you move into the realm of consumer-driven healthcare, this is a 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 one way to know how to improve your health issues.

The average doctor visit in the US costs more than $60 and leads to diagnostic, testing and treatment costs of at least ten times that amount. Approximately 25 percent of all doctor visits are not necessary. The average emergency room visit in the US costs more than $383, yet 55 percent of emergency room visits are unnecessary. They are not emergencies.

Clearly, a lot of money is wasted by uninformed and unmotivated patients. Some do not understand their symptoms. Some do not understand the consequences of spending money that they think is not out of their pocket. The results are reduced quality of care and out-of-control health expenses.

In contrast to the passive, uninformed healthcare consumer, the self care member becomes a wise healthcare patient who knows how, when and with whom to interact with healthcare service providers. This is important, because according to the American Society of Internal Medicine, 70 percent of correct diagnosis depends upon what the patient tells the physician. So, it is vital that you become an active, informed patient.

A first step toward becoming a knowledgeable patient invested in your own care and well being is this information.

Prevention advisories inform you . . .

• when a real health emergency occurs;

• when and when not to see a doctor;

• when and how to treat yourself;

• when to use outpatient rather than inpatient services;

• when diagnostic tests are appropriate;

• when and how to question a service provider’s recommendation.

The benefits include . . .

• reduced consumer healthcare costs;

• reduced absenteeism from work or lifestyle routine;

• reduced employee work time attending to health issues;

• increased patient satisfaction;

• improved quality of health at lower cost;

• increased patient investment, empowerment and sense of control.

The Self Care Program is a continuing process, not a one time event. Information, care guides, newsletters and specific advisories can be accessed online.

Return On Investment

Medical Self Care programs have been used for more than thirty years. Various cost-savings studies of this service indicate that the return on investment of the programs, as indicated by the reductions in healthcare costs compared to the actual cost of the programs, varied from a low of five to one to a high of 19.8 to one. The average was 16 to one, meaning that every dollar of cost for the Self Care Plan saved $16 of care costs.

For ideas on Medical Self Care Management, go to Management Affairs.

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

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

To get a Personal Fitness Assistance Proposal and health plan quote, go to Family Health Plan Quotes or Individual Health Plan Quotes.

To get a Group health plan quote, go to Group Health Plan Quotes.

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