Better Care at Lower Costs

1. What Kind of Doctor Do I Need? Slideshow
2. Dental (Oral) Health Quiz
3. Causes of a Heart Attack Slideshow

• Topic Overview
• Should I See a Doctor About a Health Problem?
• Should I Have a Test to Diagnose My Health Problem?
• Should I Take Medicine to Treat My Health Problem?
• Should I Have Surgery to Treat My Health Problem?
• Do I Need to Go to the Emergency Room?
• Do I Need to Be Hospitalized?
• Should I See a Specialist About My Health Problem?
• Related Information
• References
• Credits

Topic Overview

Good health care doesn't just happen. You have to do your part. Taking an active role in your health care is the best way to make sure you get great care and reduce costs at the same time.

It is likely that you will be faced with one or more of the following health decisions at some time. Use the skills described in the topic Making Wise Health Decisions to help you compare your options and decide if the services or treatments in question are right for you. Try to find out how much you'd have to pay for the care you are considering. If you have health insurance, find out if your plan pays more of the medical care costs if you go to a certain doctor or facility.

Should I See a Doctor About a Health Problem?

If your symptoms and the guidelines in this website suggest you should see a doctor, don't put it off. Ignoring problems often leads to complications that are more expensive to treat.

Should I Have a Test to Diagnose My Health Problem?

Make sure you understand how any medical test will help you before you agree to it. For instance, ask your doctor if the test results would change how your health problem needs to be managed. Think about your willingness to have treatment or make lifestyle changes if you tested positive for a health problem. The only good reason to do a test is because the benefits to you outweigh the risks and costs. No test can be done without your consent. For more information, see the topic Smart Decisions: Know Your Options.

Medical tests are expensive. If you need a test, do your part to make sure that you do not have to repeat it. The tips below can make a big difference:

1. Follow instructions about how to prepare. Are you supposed to stop eating the night before? Not drink alcohol? Stop taking medicines, or take a special medicine? Get written instructions from your doctor or nurse, and follow them. This reduces the chance of error and the need to repeat the test, which saves you money. Before you have a medical test, look it up on this website so you know more about the test and what you need to do.
2. Keep a copy of all your results. Get a copy of the full test results, even if they are normal. You may get a printed copy, or you may be able to see your test results online. Do not assume that no news is good news. If you do not hear from your doctor, call to get your test results. This helps in three ways:
   • It makes sure you have the results if you later need to compare them to past or future tests.
   • You have a backup record in case you see a different doctor who does not get your test results from your previous doctor. If you can provide a copy, he or she may not have to repeat the test.
   • Having the results helps you better understand what's going on with your health.
3. Don't have tests more often than you need to. If you have a health problem that requires frequent tests and you are worried about the cost, tell your doctor. Maybe you can go a little longer between tests. Maybe you can have a less costly test some of the time and the more expensive one less often.
4. Ask about options, and shop around. The cost of some testing can vary widely without any difference in how reliable the results are. For expensive tests, it may pay to compare the costs of your best options.