Get the Most From Your Medical Visits!
How many times have you walked out of a medical visit with unanswered or unasked questions, or having forgotten to mention a specific symptom or concern?
This happens to all of us as we are ushered through a system where we struggle to pull together our questions, thoughts, and concerns about unfamiliar topics using an unfamiliar language while our medical providers are short on time.
We rely on these visits as our chance to give and receive all the information needed to maintain our health. So, what can we do to be sure we are getting the most out of our medical visits?
Preparation & What To Bring
Bring a symptom tracker!
If you take away 1 thing from this list, nothing is more effective than being able to reference complete information regarding the specifics of your symptoms and concerns.
Be prepared with the following information:
A description of your symptoms, in detail
Timing of when your symptoms started and how often they occur
Anything that makes your symptoms better or worse
Any history of similar symptoms in the past
Anything new or different about your recent routine
New medications or recent illness
It is helpful to ask your loved ones for feedback as you prepare your symptom tracker. Our family and friends often notice things we might have overlooked about our symptoms!
In a future blog I will share all of my favorite symptom tracking tips and tools - stay tuned!
Bring a list of questions.
Visits move quickly! With so much to cover, you are likely to forget something you wanted to discuss. Put together a complete list of questions to review as your visit is wrapping up.
Similar to your symptom tracker, it is very helpful to ask your loved ones to assist in compiling this list!
Bring a copy of your complete medical record.
Your health record should include copies of the following:
Your current and past diagnoses
Test results
Medications
Provider visit notes
Allergies
Previous procedures and surgeries
Advanced directives
Knowing your history helps providers make the best recommendations about your health. This record is especially critical if you have received care at more than one medical facility in the past.
Trust me, you will receive better and safer care when you bring a copy of your medical record to your visits.
Keep a chronological health summary.
In addition to your complete record, it is helpful to bring a high-level overview of your chronological health history to your medical visits.
Keep a list organized by month & year. Include all new diagnoses, tests, hospitalizations, procedures, and surgeries. This historical record will allow you and your provider to spend more time focusing on the topics that are most relevant to you right now.
Bring something to write with and write on… Even better, bring someone with you!
If at all possible, bring someone with you to medical visits, even if you are going in for something routine. We experience sensory overload in this environment. After the visit, this makes it difficult to recall what exactly was said.
The best solution is to have someone with you to be a second set of ears, a scribe, and an advocate. You can even have someone join your visit by speaker phone!
Another tip - don’t try to write down every detail or you will miss important information. Be sure to jot down key words, follow-up plans, and recommended testing.
Bring a sweater!
This might sound silly, and it is, but medical offices are notoriously chilly and I believe in prioritizing comfort! In all seriousness though, feeling cold is distracting, so don’t forget a warmer layer just in case.
CaringBee’s Insider Tips
Be prepared to wait!
The best providers take the time to listen and address complex issues. However, these same providers are often running behind their overbooked schedule because they are giving each patient the care they need and deserve. These are definitely the providers you want to see, but be prepared to wait a bit.
Bring a water bottle, something to read, something to nibble on, and most importantly, don’t schedule something else to immediately follow your visit!
Be kind to support staff.
Medical providers can’t do their job without schedulers, receptionists, medical assistants, nurses, and technicians, so be kind to these support staff! These folks work the real magic behind the scenes.
Ask for an urgent visit if you need it.
What should you do if you are having symptoms that need to be evaluated as soon as possible, but you’re told there aren’t any appointments available?
Ask to speak to the medical assistant or nurse who supports your provider! In urgent cases, they can overbook the provider’s schedule so you can be seen sooner.
Bonus pro tip: During your visit, ask for the best phone number to use for urgent questions or symptoms. You will often be given the “back line” direct to your clinical team for more prompt assistance.
Advocate for Yourself!
It’s your health we are talking about here. Don’t ever feel bad for pushing to be heard, to have the information you need, or to feel confident in your care plan.
Ask questions!
Seriously, no question is off limits or silly. This is your chance to get information about your health.
A few important questions to consider:
Why is this testing indicated?
What medication side effects should I be looking for?
Is there any monitoring required for this medication or treatment?
Are there any appropriate alternatives to this treatment plan?
What are the risks of this procedure?
What outcomes and complications have you had for this type of procedure at this facility and with this provider?
What are the best resources to learn more about this condition or recommendation?
What else should I be asking? (This is my all time favorite question to receive from patients!)
Ask for copies of your records if they aren’t available electronically.
If you have recently completed any medical testing, ask for copies of the results during your visit! This is the best way to keep your complete medical record up to date.
Verify that new medications won’t be an issue with your known allergies or interact with your current medications.
Don’t assume your provider has reviewed these interactions. They can always use a gentle reminder to double check!
If you desire more information about a diagnosis, medication, or test result, ask for more resources!
There is a plethora of misinformation available on the internet. Instead of trying to sort out which sources you can trust, ask your health care team which resources they would recommend for more education.
Tell the provider what you’re concerned about.
When we schedule a medical visit, we almost always have 1 major concern about what might be causing a specific symptom. Let your provider know this!
With this information, they can either reassure you or they can be sure to evaluate this specifically.
The Work Continues After Your Visit
Ask about insurance authorization.
Not all facilities obtain insurance authorization for procedures or testing. Ask how this process is completed at your provider’s facility so you can avoid being stuck with a huge bill for uncovered services!
Continue to track symptoms and possible side effects.
Keep up with your symptom tracker after your visit!
On your tracker, it is helpful to jot down the date you started a new medication or treatment. This allows for better correlation between treatments, symptoms, and possible side effects.
If insurance denies coverage for a test or medication, ask if your medical team will seek an appeal on your behalf!
Private insurance carriers are sneaky - they will often deny coverage just to see if your health care team is willing to jump through the hoops for an approval. This reduces your insurance carrier’s expenses at your expense!
Don’t take no for an answer if you haven’t exhausted the appeals process. Ask if your team is willing to submit an appeal. Fortunately, the vast majority of the time a coverage determination can be overturned in this manner.
If the cost of testing or medications causes financial stress, check with your team to see if there are alternative options.
Health care is expensive but there is often a way to help reduce costs and achieve the same goals for your health - just ask!
Never hesitate to get a second opinion!
You need to trust your health care provider and your care plan. If you have a complicated diagnosis, a high risk treatment plan, or you have any doubts about whether your provider is a match, get a second opinion!
Not only is this acceptable, it is expected in the health care community. No one should be offended. You can get a second opinion from someone in the same medical practice or at a different facility all together.
