Health insurance and health care costs have become a major issue for many Americans, and there are no easy answers. But whether you have good health insurance, poor insurance or none at all, it makes sense to be a savvy health care consumer.
EXAMINE YOUR COSTS: Many Americans who have had generous health plans for years have begun to take their benefits for granted–which is a bad idea both for the individual and the system. Health care costs should be subjected to the same scrutiny you use for other purchases.
Choosing a family doctor or dentist is not something you want to do on cost alone, but you should never hesitate to question a charge you consider high or a treatment that you think is unnecessary.
Studies have demonstrated that the oldest and least expensive blood pressure medications–diuretics and beta-blockers–are just as effective as other choices for most patients. Your doctor may have a good reason for choosing a more expensive drug and should not mind you asking questions about your medications.
For most medications and other treatments, there are numerous options, and if your doctor knows you are trying to keep your costs low, he/she is more likely to prescribe a generic or lower-cost option.
No matter who is paying the bill, going to the doctor when you have a cold is an unnecessary cost and will not save you any misery or lost time from work. Colds are caused by a virus and will not respond to antibiotic treatment, and the unnecessary use of antibiotics puts everyone at risk of antibiotic resistance. In addition, visiting the emergency room for a non-emergency illness simply because you do not have time to make an appointment with a doctor is another way of abusing the health care system and increasing health care costs for everyone. While you may not be charged for the visit, you will pay in time through increased insurance premiums.
KNOW WHEN NOT TO SELF-TREAT: With over-the-counter products readily available, it’s easy–but not always wise–to self-treat. The over-the-counter products for heartburn and acid indigestion are for mild or occasional cases. If you have severe or chronic problems, occurring more than twice a week, you should see a doctor or you might end up with more serious and costly problems. As one doctor put it, “The most expensive treatment is one that doesn’t work.”
Two disorders that should not be treated with over-the-counter medications are depression and erectile dysfunction. The herbal supplement St. John’s wort has been found in some studies to be effective for mild to moderate depression, but it also can interfere with the action of some prescription medications. And depression is a life threatening condition that should be monitored carefully by a mental health professional.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is not a lifestyle issue but a serious medical problem; it is frequently the first sign of heart disease, diabetes, depression or other severe illnesses. Non-prescription “all natural” remedies for ED are well publicized but worthless and expensive. Some preparations contain yohimbine, a bark extract that is the active ingredient in yocon, which is a drug that has shown limited success in treating ED. The herbal version of yohimbine, however, has been linked to severe side effects while the prescription med, which costs about one-third as much, is much safer.
PROTECT YOUR HEALTH: By far the best thing you can do to cut health care costs, for yourself and the system, is to stay healthy. A lot of information is available about the benefits of following a healthy lifestyle: eating a low-fat, high fiber diet that includes at least five servings a day of fruits and vegetables; controlling your weight; getting regular exercise and not smoking. Persons who eat well and exercise regularly throughout their lives protect themselves from specific illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes but also maintain strong bones and muscles which are more likely to keep them independent through their later years. The cost of a health club membership or a pair of running shoes is minimal compared to that of long-term care.
BECOME KNOWLEDGEABLE: The Internet has made detailed health information readily available–too much so, say some doctors. Of course, there is a lot of unreliable, inaccurate information on the Internet, but there is also a wealth of good material available on sites operated by the American Medical Association, the American Cancer Society and the National Institutes of Health. Use this information and that from other sources to help keep you healthy.
Learn all you can about your conditions so that you can understand what your doctor is trying to do and why. With more information, you can ask questions and actively participate in your treatment plan.
Every decision that is made regarding health care has multiple consequences that all involve cost–both short and long term–as well as personal well being. By being an informed consumer, you can make decisions that will keep you healthy, wealthy and wise.
By: Kerri Musselman, Pharm.D.
