Getting the best medical care for your needs requires doing a little homework. Here’s where to begin.

When health care is not an emergency, you have more time—time to do a little investigative work and make sure you’re getting the right treatment for your needs.

“This is the kind of research you should do before making any important purchase,” says Michelle Katz, M.S.N., author of Healthcare for Less: Getting the Care You Need—Without Breaking the Bank. “No purchase is more important than medical care, yet people spend more time shopping for houses and cars than they do for their own health care.”

From her training as a nurse and her experience as a professional health care consultant, a doctor’s wife, and a patient, Katz has seen all sides of the health system. Here’s her advice for obtaining the care that’s right for you.

• Begin by choosing the right primary care physician (PCP). This person will coordinate all your care for years to come, become familiar with your medical history and any ongoing health concerns, and act as your partner in every treatment decision.

  To reduce your costs substantially, choose a PCP that is in your insurance plan’s preferred provider network.

  “It’s so important to find a doctor who’s good for you. Not every doctor is good for every patient,” stresses Katz.

  She notes that if you have a chronic illness, you may fare better with a specialist as your primary care doctor—for example, a gastroenterologist for chronic digestive problems, or an endocrinologist for diabetes. A specialist often can more quickly hone in on problems related to your illness and thus avoid unnecessary medical tests.

• Examine your health plan. After you’ve found the best doctor for your needs, choose a level of care that:
  • Covers the doctor’s services
  • Covers treatment in your doctor’s hospital
  • Covers the specific treatments you’re most likely to need

  “The best plan for you may be a little more expensive than what you want to pay, but in the end, paying more up front can save a lot of money later,” says Katz. “Make sure the plan has the tools you need to help your doctor give you the care you need.”

• Look closely at your coverage. Your doctor doesn’t know everything that’s in your health plan—it’s up to you to read the plan booklet or to call the health plan’s customer service office to confirm that any proposed treatment will be covered.
• Use your insurance sooner, not later. Never delay necessary, appropriate health care to save money out of pocket, Katz urges—it’s a sure way to miss out on getting the best care for your needs. This rule applies to both preventive screenings and to treatment for existing problems.
• Befriend your doctor. The more your doctor gets to know you, the more likely you are to receive the knowledgeable, personalized treatment you need.
• Communicate your needs. “If you say you have a cough, the doctor is going to treat the cough and that’s it,” says Katz. “If you forget to add that you’ve also been having stomach pains, your doctor can’t make the right diagnosis.”

  This can lead to treatments that address the symptoms but not the cause, and therefore to more office visits and more treatments.

  To prevent this from occurring, stay organized in your thoughts: Take the time to write down your symptoms and concerns before you visit the doctor. Take along a list of any medications and alternative remedies you’re taking, the names of any specialists you’re seeing, and your medical records from previous doctors. Then, speak up.

• Consider getting a second opinion, especially when a recommended treatment is risky or expensive. This can make a world of difference in ensuring you understand all your options and are choosing the right treatment.

  According to Katz, if your doctor makes a treatment recommendation using words such as “almost,” “possible,” “probably,” “maybe,” “chances,” or “unlikely,” that’s a good cue to get a second opinion from another physician.

  Most important, always be your own advocate in health care.

  “Don’t rely on anyone but yourself to ensure things are done the way you want them done,” Katz stresses. “Your doctor is your first mate, but you’re the captain of your ship. It’s up to you to figure out how to steer your course toward the best treatment for your needs.”

On the Phone, Be Prepared
According to health care consultant Michelle Katz, M.S.N., it pays to organize your thoughts before calling or visiting the doctor’s office. The better prepared you are, the more likely you are to gain the respect and appreciation of your doctor and the office staff—making them that much more likely to offer the medical care that’s best for you.

Katz suggests these guidelines when calling your doctor with a medical problem:

• Be polite and introduce yourself. Explain the purpose of your call in one sentence. For example: “I’ve been running a 101-degree fever for three days and was wondering if there’s something else I should be doing besides taking acetaminophen.”
• Ask if a doctor appointment is necessary, or if you can treat the condition at home.
• Be ready to answer certain questions. For example:
  • What are your specific symptoms?
  • When did you start having them? (Provide the day and time, if possible.)
  • What, if anything, have you tried for relief? (Supply the names of any prescription or over-thecounter medications you’ve been taking, including any herbal remedies.)
  • What about your symptoms most concerns you?
  • How would you like to be helped?

Polly Turner spoke with health care consultant Michelle Katz, M.S.N., author of Healthcare for Less: Getting the Care You Need—Without Breaking the Bank, Hatherleigh Press, 2006, $15.95.

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