Accidents are a part of life. Most of the time, accidents aren’t very serious. You can go along with your day as if nothing happened. In other cases, an accident can change your life temporarily, or maybe even forever.
From getting into a motorcycle accident to an accident on the job or even one at home that took place during a remodel, there are situations where you may find yourself severely injured. A serious injury can cause you to spend way more time dealing with the healthcare industry than you would like.
Don’t let the healthcare industry get the best of you. Follow these tips and trick and you can navigate the healthcare industry like a pro.
Don’t Hesitate to Get a Second Opinion
Injuries are rarely as straight forward as they seem. What is observed by one physician may not be the same as what is observed by another physician. If something seems off, or if the prescribed course of action seems like too much, or not enough, you should get a second opinion.
Worried about requesting a second opinion? Don’t be! Good doctors don’t take offense when patients request a second opinion because they recognize that two heads are always better than one. You can even see a physician in the same office when getting a second opinion. Not only is it more convenient, but it also enables both healthcare providers to discuss your case.
Get Familiar With Insurance Terms
Health insurance is one of those things that you can’t live without, but when it comes time to use your benefits, you wish you could do without it altogether. That’s because insurers don’t make it easy to understand your policy and how it will apply to the services you receive.
It helps a lot to understand terms that are common in the insurance industry, as well as how those terms relate to your specific policy. Just a few terms you should understand include:
- Deductible
- Copayment
- Coinsurance
- Premium
- Network
If you aren’t sure how these terms relate to your specific policy, you should call your insurer and ask. They can tell you exactly what your deductible is, what percentage of coinsurance you will pay, and whether a particular healthcare provider is in-network.
Always Ask for an Explanation of Charges
Because the healthcare system is so complex, and the insurance industry is so complex, it’s easy for costs to get out of hand and mistakes to happen. If you’re able, you should always ask for an explanation of charges before services are rendered. If you can’t ask before, you should always ask for an explanation of charges after.
Asking for a bill enables you to make sure that all of the charges to your account are accurate, and it enables you to discuss any alternatives if some charges are especially expensive.
Sometimes, just asking for an explanation of charges will make your bill go down, as hospitals will double check them and make reductions just to avoid any potential problems.
Financial Resources Are Available to Patients
Even with health insurance, recovering after an accident can be expensive. Instead of skipping important physical therapy sessions in the name of saving some money, you might want to look into financial resources that are available to those who can’t afford care.
Some hospitals have financial assistance programs that they can offer directly to their patients. Nearly every hospital or clinic will accept a payment plan, and there are resources outside the hospital that can help. For example, the Patient Advocate Foundation can help by providing you with financial aid, as well as helping you find more accessible forms of healthcare.
Don’t Do It Alone
No matter what kind of accident you had or what kind of injuries you’re dealing with, you should never go on your healthcare journey alone. Bring someone you trust with you to appointments whenever possible. They can ask questions you may not have thought of and they can provide you with support if you’re nervous, scared, or uncomfortable.
You can also consider a more formal healthcare advocate. Not only can they help you ask the right questions, but they can also deal with your insurance company, they can make sure you aren’t overcharged for medical services, and more.
You may want to relax on the couch after an injury, but it is equally as important to make sure you get the right medical care. You can make getting that care less of a headache when you familiarize yourself with these tips.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
