The swearing in of our new president means many things to many people. However, one issue is common to all Americans: health care. Regardless of any changes President-elect Donald Trump and Congress may make, all of us must continue our consumer savviness to get the most benefit from the system. This week’s column and next week’s highlight steps we should take to better serve ourselves and our families, compliments of AARP research.
Let’s begin with that first doctor visit. Under the current Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), annual physicals or preventative screenings are free. These screenings can identify potential health problems and give you time to get to know your physician. They also allow him or her to become more familiar with you.
* Be prepared. Write down questions for your doctor to answer and be prepared to describe any symptoms you may be experiencing. Question any tests or extra services he may push during the exam.
* Don’t waste your time. If you arrive at 8 a.m. for an 8:30 appointment and are still waiting an hour later, do something about it. While wait time estimates normally run about an hour, that’s 60 minutes you could be doing something else. Tell the front-desk employee you can only wait x-amount of time. Then, if the deadline arrives and you’re still sitting, inform the receptionist your time is as valuable as your doctor’s, and you’re leaving. Tell her you intend to find another physician who treats patients with the respect they deserve. I did this several years ago. After waiting over an hour for my long-time doctor (and I was crazy about him) for the umpteenth time, I took out my business card, wrote my hourly fee on the back and handed it to the receptionist. I informed her I was leaving, and the doctor owed me $100. A couple of hours after my grand exit, the doctor called to apologize. While he didn’t pay up, a large sign appeared above the reception desk: Please notify the receptionist if you have been waiting more than 20 minutes past your appointment time.
* Ask about a discount vs insurance. Higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums for 2017 mean less money in our pockets. Just because we’re lucky enough to have insurance doesn’t mean we must avail ourselves of the plan. Be upfront with your provider; tell her your financial situation isn’t the best and you simply can’t afford the new hikes. Some physicians have standing discount policies that cut their fees by as much as half. It never hurts to ask. The answer won’t ever be worse than “No.”