It Pays to Be a Wise Health Consumer

Being a wise health care consumer means looking at health care as a transaction, much like the purchase of a new car.  It is in your best interest to be informed about the quality and costs of what you are buying.

Here are some tips for making health-related decisions that lead to better health, more effective health care, and may lower your health-care costs:

 Understand Your Health Plan

• Become informed about with your benefits. Find out which services are covered and what limitations, exclusions, or lifetime maximums your plan may have. Choose a plan level that meets, but does not exceed what you and your family need.
• Understand your financial out-of-pocket costs, like co-pays, deductibles, and prescription drug fees. 
• Learn how to access your benefits and follow your plan's guidelines for getting referrals to specialists, hospital admissions, inpatient surgical procedures, second opinions, a screening test or exam, vaccination coverage or using an out-of-network provider.
• Become familiar with who to call to find out about your benefits, ask billing questions, resolve a dispute, receive a referral, or get advice on health and prevention issues.

Take Good Care of Yourself

• Take good care of yourself to keep your healthcare costs down. The average costs for those who are overweight are 21% higher. Taking better care of yourself is better for you, your family and your budget.
•  Learn what can be treated without a physician or a visit to the emergency room. Before you call the doctor, call a nurse advice line or use any similar option your health plan may offer.
• Take advantage of preventive screenings, check-ups and on-site wellness services. Understand what type of health screenings you and your family members may need in order to become aware of any potential health issues or risks. Many plans will cover preventative services at 100%.
• Be sure to follow through on your doctor's prescribed course of treatment. Stopping a treatment too soon because you feel better could lead to a recurrence or a worsening of the health condition.

An informed consumer is a wise consumer. You can improve your care and the care of your loved ones by taking an active role in your health care. By asking questions and understanding your condition, you can and save some health-care dollars.

Staying on Track

Losing weight is an accomplishment that will likely benefit your health now and in the future. Weightloss may lead to a reduction in cholesterol levels, improved blood glucose control and blood pressure as well as decrease your risk for other weight related conditions. My Pyramid Plan is a useful on-line tool that can assist you in determining how many calories your body needs each day.

Once you are at a healthy weight, it is important to continue to balance the foods you eat with the calories you burn up especially at work. Below is a list of ideas to support your weightloss or maintenance efforts:

• Keep a food diary.
• Shop from a list, and shop when you are not hungry.
• Do not keep many high-fat, high-sugar foods in your home, and store foods out of sight to avoid temptation.
• Dish up smaller servings.
• Eat at the table and not in front of the TV.
•  Be realistic about weightloss goals and aim for a weight loss of about 1 to 2 pounds each week.
• Seek support from family, friends and co-workers. Many times, they too, need support.
• Expect setbacks and forgive yourself if you regain a few pounds.
• Add moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity to your weightloss plan, with your doctor's approval.

Always remember, you burn more calories when you are physically active.