Follow the Money to Answer Many Healthcare Questions
When something about your healthcare doesn't make sense, the answer may just be "follow the money." From why your doctor won't spend time with you, to why your insurance company has denied you the treatment you need, understanding profit and income motives may be the answer, and may help you find a better solution.
When we know it is time to change doctors, sometimes it seems impossible to find a primary care physician. Why is it so difficult and what can we do instead?
Many people apply for health insurance, and are denied health insurance coverage. There are a number of reasons someone's health insurance application can be rejected. Learn why, and some steps to take to change the decision.
Millions of Americans are interested in pursuing alternative medicine or complementary therapies like herbal supplements, massage therapy, yoga or meditation, yet their health insurers refuse to pay for these forms of treatment. Why won't health insurance cover the cost of alternative medicine or complementary therapy? And what can we do about it?
Each year, doctors and medical facilities negotiate with insurers to decide whether they will accept that insurer's payment for their services. This sometimes means a doctor or facility won't be included on our list of insurer-acceptable doctors. How does that work and why are some doctors eliminated from the lists?
Why is health insurance so expensive? And why do we pay more and more each year, even when we are healthy?
More and more, health payers are insisting patients get permission to undergo a test or treatment. Then patients are told that no, the payer will not cover the cost of that test or treatment. Why do payers deny care to patients? What alternatives are there?
Whether or not a doctor accepts a certain form of insurance is all based how much your insurance company is willing to pay for his services. How does that work? Why do doctors accept some payers and not others? How does this affect a patient's care?
When we have unusual symptoms, the doctor recommends a variety of tests to help diagnose. Sometimes we don't understand why there are so many, or why some of those tests are necessary. One answer is, "follow the money."
A concierge practice, also known as boutique medicine, is a practice model used by doctors who do not accept a patient's insurance for payment. Is this a good model for patient care?
Patients who have been to visit a number of specialists or other providers are often frustrated because no one will review all the reports or tests or help them coordinate their care. When we understand why this happens, we can take steps to improve our own experience.
We patients get frustrated when our doctors seem to be in such a hurry. We don't understand why they won't take the time to answer our questions. When we understand why this happens, we can take steps to change it, or make it easier to tolerate.
Follow the money to understand why your doctor keeps you waiting for your appointment.
