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Copyright (Purdue Research Foundation 2008)
Solving the MazeUsing the healthcare system
wisely
Copyright (Purdue Research Foundation, 2008)
Why be Wise?• Increasing costs to employers• Results in greater cost to employees
– Affects everyone’s bottom line
• Improved medical care– Eliminate unnecessary or repetitive
treatments
Copyright (Purdue Research Foundation, 2008)
Understand your health plan
• Log in to the website
• Learn how to find in-network doctors
• Know your benefits
Copyright (Purdue Research Foundation, 2008)
The Right Doctor• Primary Care Physician
– Are typically family practitioners, general practice, internal medicine or pediatrics
– First stop in the healthcare pathway
• Can open doors to specialist care– Can address a variety of issues– Often refers to other specialties if needed– Cost effective approach to general care
Copyright (Purdue Research Foundation, 2008)
The Right Doctor• When selecting a doctor, consider this:
– Is the office convenient?– Are office hours reasonable?– Is the staff friendly?– Can you talk to the nurse if the doctor is
busy?– What hospital does the doctor have
privileges at?– What is the doctor’s philosophy on
medicine (traditional or alternative)?
Copyright (Purdue Research Foundation, 2008)
The Right Doctor• Research your doctor
– Information from the office, online, etc– Interview (may incur a charge)
• Already have a primary care doctor?– Do you like them?
• Are you satisfied after the visit?• Don’t feel guilty for changing
– When is the last time you visited?
Copyright (Purdue Research Foundation, 2008)
The Visit• Health history
– Do you know your history?
• Medications- avoid interactions– Prescription drugs– Vitamins and minerals– Supplements
• Allergies/intolerances
Copyright (Purdue Research Foundation, 2008)
The Visit• Use the limited time wisely
– Bring a list of concerns• Act as a reminder• Give to the doctor at the beginning of the visit• Schedule extra time for several issues
– Ask questions about proposed treatments• Why this treatment?• Do other options exist with similar outcomes?• Are generic drugs available? OTC?
Copyright (Purdue Research Foundation, 2008)
Appropriate Care• Self care guides
– Guide you through the decision making process
– Multiple formats available• Gender and/or age oriented• Family oriented• First aid only
Copyright (Purdue Research Foundation, 2008)
Appropriate Care• Seeking immediate treatment
– Emergency room (ER)• Treats major, life threatening conditions
– Heart attack, stroke, car accidents, major burns, major traumas, poisoning, seizures, etc
– Urgent care• Treats other conditions that are not life-
threatening– Cuts/scrapes, back pain, asthma (mild to
moderate), ear pain, rashes, fever, small broken bones, sprains, etc
Copyright (Purdue Research Foundation, 2008)
Appropriate Care• Why use Urgent Care versus ER?
– Efficiency of care• Potential for less waiting time
– Cost savings• Average starting cost for ER visit = $300• Starting cost for Urgent care = $70
– Some in-network urgent care providers• Immediate Care Center (Crown Point)• American Current Care (Hammond)
Copyright (Purdue Research Foundation, 2008)
Appropriate Care• Prescription drugs
– Brand• Original version of the drug• Expensive due to research and marketing
costs– Generic
• Chemically identical to brand name versions• Cheaper than counterpart since no need for
additional research• Not always available if brand version is still
covered by patent
Copyright (Purdue Research Foundation, 2008)
Appropriate Care• Prescription drugs
– Potential for cost savings• Prilosec = 20mg (30 day) $142→ $426
(90 day)• omeprazole = 20mg (90 day) $64• Prilosec OTC = 20mg (90 day) $128
– Department Store discounts• $4 drugs
– Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Kroger, CVS (by request)
– Over the counter (OTC) options
Copyright (Purdue Research Foundation, 2008)
Preventive Care
• Visit your physician regularly for overall physical– Every 1-3 years depending on your
health and overall condition
• Complete preventive exams as needed by age and gender
Recommended Tests
• Men– 15 – 30 – Testicular Exam– 40+ - Prostate Exam– 50+ - Colon Cancer Screening• Women• 18+ - Pap Smear• 35 – Baseline Mammogram• 40+ - Annual Mammogram• 50+ - Colon Cancer Screening
Copyright (Purdue Research Foundation, 2008)
Copyright (Purdue Research Foundation, 2008)
Take Control!• Take an active role in your care
– Ultimately, it’s your body• Ensure quality of life
• Expect knowledge– Ask questions at the doctors office
• Expect answers you can understand– Do your own research
• Use reliable websites/journals/resources
Take Control of Your HealthcareSome examples of healthcare websites
with reliable information:• WebMD - www.webmd.com• American Heart Association
– www.americanheart.org• Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention– www.cdc.gov
Copyright (Purdue Research Foundation, 2008)
Additional Web Resources• For UHC plan members -
www.myuhc.com• For PPO and 500 plan - www.fhs.umr.com• Healthy People 2010 -
www.healthypeople.gov • National Institutes of Health -
www.health.nih.gov• Medline (Health Information) –
www.medlineplus.gov• Mayo Clinic - www.mayoclinic.com
Copyright (Purdue Research Foundation, 2008)
Take Control of Your Healthcare• Personal health record
– Keep track of vital information• Allergies• Conditions• Surgeries• Health history
– Great resource for various doctors– Keep one for each family member
Take Control of Your Healthcare• Personal Health Record – can be online
– Microsoft – www.Healthvault.com– www.myuhc.com (for UHC plan
members)
• Or, PHR can be a hard-copy paper form– AHIMA –– www.myphr.com/your_record/documents/PHR-English-
Adult.pdf
Copyright (Purdue Research Foundation, 2008)
Summary
• Great care starts with good communication
• Wise use of the system will save everyone money
• Taking control of your health and healthcare can lead to improved overall health
