Issue 1

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healthy habits Empowering Consumers with Better Health Care

Why be an empowered health care consumer?■ ■■ During 2008 to 2010, nearly 240,000 deaths among

hospitalized patients were potentially preventable, and Medicare patients who had one or more patient-safety incidents had a one-in-five chance of dying.(3)

■ ■■ Medication errors harm at least 1.5 million people every year, and on average, at least one medication error occurs per hospital patient per day.(4)

■ ■■ Fewer than 50 percent of individuals using emergency rooms need that level of expensive treatment.(5)

■ ■■ One in every 10 patients who died within 90 days of surgery did so because of a preventable error.(6)

To avoid these problems, consumers must replace blind trust in medical professionals with intelligent decision-making and collaboration. Being informed and involved in medical decisions can not only help you reduce the chances of medical error, but may also save you money by avoiding waste relating to unnecessary care. It takes time and effort to become an empowered health care consumer, but the rewards are worth it!

So how can you minimize the chance of having a medical mishap affect you? The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations is the nation’s predominant standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. The Joint Commission's patient safety campaign encourage patients to become informed and active members of the health care team. Part of the education campaign includes publications and videos that encourage you to speak up.(7)

The cost of employee health care premiums has increased 113% since the year 2001!(1) Unfortunately, these higher costs don’t always guarantee quality care.

Is there anything you can do? Is there a way to receive better care and lower your costs?By becoming an empowered health care consumer, you will be informed and more involved in health care decisions. You will learn about health and medical practices and take an active role in treatment decisions, often resulting in better care at lower costs. This series of newsletters is being produced to help you achieve this goal: Better Care, Lower Cost.

More Involvement +

More Information =

Better Care

Medical practicesThe reasons to become an empowered health care consumer are compelling. In our health care system today, the frequency of medical mistakes and excess treatments is alarmingly high. These mistakes and overtreatments are dangerous for your health and draining on your pocketbook.

Here is what the experts tell us:■ ■■ Patient safety incidents cost the Medicare program $8.8

billion in three years.(2)

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■Empowered Consumers

Finding Information

Choosing a Hospital

Choosing a Physician

Physician Partnering

Health Insurance

Controlling Health Costs

Healthy Lifestyles

Preventing Illness

Managing Illness

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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healthy habitsThe Joint Commission

on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization

offers Speak Up Materials.

Five steps to safer health care:1. Ask questions if you have doubts or concerns. Ask

questions and make sure you understand the answers. Choose a doctor you feel comfortable talking to.

2. Keep and bring a list of ALL the medicines you take. Give your doctor and pharmacist a list of all the medicines that you take, including nonprescription medicines. Tell them about any drug allergies you have. Ask about side effects and what to avoid while taking the medicine.

3. Get the results of any test or procedure. Ask when and how you will get the results of tests or procedures. Don’t assume the results are fine if you do not get them when expected, be it in person, by phone or by mail. Call your doctor and ask for your results. Ask what the results mean for your care.

4. Talk to your doctor about which hospital is best for your health needs. Ask your doctor about which hospital has the best care and results for your condition if you have more than one hospital to choose from. Be sure you understand the instructions you get about follow-up care when you leave the hospital.

5. Make sure you understand what will happen if you need surgery. Make sure you, your doctor and your surgeon all agree on exactly what will be done during the operation. Ask your doctor, “Who will manage my care when I am in the hospital?” Ask your surgeon:

■ ■■ Exactly what will you be doing?■ ■■ About how long will it take?■ ■■ What will happen after the surgery?■ ■■ How can I expect to feel during recovery?

Tell the surgeon, anesthesiologist and nurses about any allergies, bad reaction to anesthesia and any medications you are taking.

Sources:(1) “Employee Health Benefits: 2011 Annual Survey.” The Henry J.

Kaiser Family Foundation. September 27, 2011. (2) “New AHRQ Study Finds Surgical Errors Cost Nearly $1.5 Billion

Annually” Press release, July 28, 2008. http://www.ahrq.gov/news/press/pr2008/surgerrpr.htm.

(3) “Patient Safety in American Hospitals Study.” HealthGrades, Inc.® Golden, Colo. April 2011. Available at www.HealthGrades.com.

(4) Phillip Aspden et al. (eds.), “Preventing Medication Errors.” Institute of Medicine. National Academy Press. Washington, D.C. 2007.

(5) Dartmouth Atlas Project. www.dartmouthatlas.org.(6) “Potentially Preventable Deaths, Study Shows.” ScienceDaily.

Retrieved January 13, 2012, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/ 2008/04/080408085458.htm.

(7) http://www.jointcommission.org/SpeakUp.aspx

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■Empowered Consumers

Finding Information

Choosing a Hospital

Choosing a Physician

Physician Partnering

Health Insurance

Controlling Health Costs

Healthy Lifestyles

Preventing Illness

Managing Illness

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Copyright 2010-2012 Mercer LLC. All rights reserved.Copyright 2010-2012 Mercer LLC. All rights reserved.

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Many people think that physicians have all the answers, but medical decisions are seldom clear cut. You know your body and your health better than anyone. Your input is vital.

This issue will explain how you can form a partnership with your physician, working together to diagnose your conditions and select the best treatment from the possible options. This partnership will increase the likelihood that your family will receive the best care possible at the lowest cost.

You need to feel confident about

discussing health care issues with your physician.

Becoming a partnerTo be a partner with your physician, you must be informed about the areas of health that affect you. Physicians are expected to be experts on thousands of acute and chronic illnesses and their remedies. Most patients may have only three to four illnesses to understand and master.

In order to become more informed about specific health conditions, it's important to discuss health care issues with your physician. Let’s look at the specific things you can do to be an active partner with your physician.

Before the office visitThe average medical appointment lasts only about 15 minutes. You can get the most from each visit if you take

time beforehand to write down the following information that your physician needs in order to provide the best health care advice and treatment for you. If you walk into the exam room with this information written out, you will have more time for your physician to answer your questions:

1. Describe your health problems and symptoms. Ask yourself the following questions:

■ ■■ When was the first time I noticed the problem?■ ■■ Is the problem getting worse, staying the same or

getting better?■ ■■ Is there anything I do that makes my symptoms

better or worse?

2. Describe any self-care treatment you have tried as well as the results.

3. Explain what you think may be causing the problem.

4. Describe the research you have done on this problem. List the resources.

5. Bring a list of all prescriptions you are currently taking or have taken in the last three years.

6. Be prepared to discuss your previous medical history, illnesses, and surgeries, including complications and allergies to medications.

7. Be prepared to discuss family health history that may contribute to your disease, including cancer, heart problems, diabetes or other chronic diseases.

8. Maybe most important – prepare a list of questions to ask your physician.

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healthy habits Empowering Consumers with Better Health Care

Developing a partnership with your personal physician

Issue 5

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■Empowered Consumers

Finding Information

Choosing a Hospital

Choosing a Physician

Physician Partnering

Health Insurance

Controlling Health Costs

Healthy Lifestyles

Preventing Illness

Managing Illness

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

SAMPLE

During the office visit: 1. Be honest with your physician. If you are not taking all of

your prescriptions, tell the physician and explain your reasons. If you are receiving care from other sources, such as an herbalist or chiropractor, tell your physician. A recent study showed that more than 40 percent of patients don’t tell their physicians the whole truth. Your physician must know all the facts in order to provide the best care possible.

Partner with your physician to get the

most out of your health care dollar and the best possible health care.

2. Ask questions. If your physician recommends a new prescription or a certain test, ask what the trade-offs are if you go forward with this course of treatment versus doing nothing. Ask for a list of the risks, benefits, costs, likely outcomes and possible alternate treatments.

3. Don’t be embarrassed to take notes during your visit. Write down the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up plan, and what you can do at home. It is a good idea to read your notes back to the physician to make sure you have it right before you leave his or her office.

4. Briefly discuss details about your medical benefit. If you have a deductible that applies to prescriptions or hospitalization, let your physician know this. There are usually many different ways to treat a condition. If your physician knows that you will be paying the upfront costs, he or she may be able to recommend a course of treatment that costs you less money.

5. Ask if your physician has an e-mail address. After patients leave their physician’s office, they invariably remember questions that they wish they had asked. Often, the answers to these questions are very important. Because physicians can be difficult to reach, ask your physician if he or she has an e-mail address, as this is an easy way for you to communicate with him or her after the appointment. If the Internet is not an option, ask, “What is the best time to call if I want to talk to you on the phone?” or “For whom in the office should I ask when I want to get a question to you?”

After the office visit: 1. Research the diagnosis and treatment. If you have

doubts about the physician’s recommended treatment, spend time conducting additional research about the condition and treatment alternatives. You may then follow up with your physician about your concerns or go to another physician for an additional opinion.

2. Follow the physician’s advice. Unless you have significant doubts about the treatment or diagnosis, follow the physician’s advice. It is important that you do not stop taking medicines or discontinue therapy because your symptoms are getting better. Doing so can cause a relapse and create drug-resistant viruses.

3. Give feedback. Take the time to give positive and negative feedback to your physician on the treatment he or she recommended. Physicians want to know if the treatment they recommend is or isn’t working for you.

Partnering with your physician is critical to getting the most out of your health care dollar and getting the best possible health care. The more of this type of partnering behavior you employ, the more empowered you will be to help yourself and your physician decide on the care that is right for you.

healthy habits

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■Empowered Consumers

Finding Information

Choosing a Hospital

Choosing a Physician

Physician Partnering

Health Insurance

Controlling Health Costs

Healthy Lifestyles

Preventing Illness

Managing Illness

Copyright 2010 Mercer LLC. All rights reserved.

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Preventive screening saves lives and money. Unfortunately, many Americans do not routinely follow some basic health screening recommendations. Routine screenings can identify a previously undiagnosed condition. Physicians can then intervene early with treatments and therapies to cure or control the condition and inform the individual of lifestyle changes that can be taken to improve health outcomes and costs.

For example, stroke and heart attack are two of the most common causes of death and severe disability in America. Yet these diseases are largely preventable through early detection and treatment. Screening for high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol is an important first step in identifying at-risk individuals who may otherwise go undiagnosed. Early detection and treatment for diabetes can also greatly improve health.

Routine screenings help identify conditions

early.

This newsletter will address the steps you should take to ensure that you actively engage in the right prevention practices for the maintenance of your health.

Health risk assessments – a health report cardThe first step to preventive care is to have a health risk assessment. A health risk assessment is like a personalized

health report card with specific suggestions on how you can improve your health by both prevention and treatment. Some health plans offer assessments online to their members. There are also online sites that will give you a free report, or a report for a small fee.

Your health risk assessment will include information about diseases and illnesses you may be susceptible to. It will suggest medical screenings to help catch any of these illnesses early as well as identify lifestyle changes that can help. The common proverb, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” is certainly true. Consider, too, that an ounce is also much less expensive than a pound. Health risk assessments can help save you time and money down the road.

Once you have the results of your assessment, follow its suggestions. To be safe and healthy means you must actively participate in the prevention of disease and, at the very least, get appropriate screenings, early diagnosis and treatment. Regular exams and screenings can help save lives.

Routine screening testsScreening tests are designed to detect disease early. On the back page of this newsletter are the recommended screening tests by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.(1)

If you have a family history or other personal risk factors, symptoms or conditions, your doctor may recommend additional screenings not listed here. Always inform your doctor regularly of any unusual symptoms or new family health history. For additional screening recommendations, visit: http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/.htm.

continued

Preventing disease and illness

healthy habits Empowering Consumers with Better Health Care Issue 9

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■Empowered Consumers

Finding Information

Choosing a Hospital

Choosing a Physician

Physician Partnering

Health Insurance

Controlling Health Costs

Healthy Lifestyles

Preventing Illness

Managing Illness

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

SAMPLE

Screening Tests for Women:In Your 20s:

Height and weightBlood pressureCholesterol screeningDiabetes screeningChlamydia & STD screeningGlaucoma screeningSkin cancer screeningBreast cancer screeningCervical cancer screening

Every 3 years.At all appointments; at least once every 3 years, more frequently if high or taking birth control pills.At least every 5 years, more frequently if high.Every 3 years for those with risk factors.Once a year for sexually-active women up to age 26.Every 3-5 years for women at high risk, at least once for women with no risk.At least every 5 years, no more often than once a year for women at high-risk.Clinical breast exam (CBE) every 3 years; Mammography may be recommended for high risk patients.Pap test every 1 to 3 years depending upon risk factors.

30s (add or modify):Glaucoma screeningCervical cancer screening

Every 2-4 years.Pap test every year, or for women at low risk every 3 years after 3 consecutive annual negative results.

40s (add or modify):Diabetes screeningBreast cancer screeningColorectal cancer screening

Every 3 years for women over 45 years, with risk factors.Clinical breast exam (CBE) and mammogram every 1-2 years.High risk — colonoscopy every 10 years, fecal occult blood test yearly, sigmoidoscopy every 5 years.

50s (add or modify):Blood pressureDiabetes screeningOsteoporosis screeningBreast cancer screening

At all appointments; at least once each year and more frequently if high.Every 3 years.Not more frequently than every 2 years for postmenopausal women with other risk factors.Clinical breast exam (CBE) and mammogram every year.

60s and above (add or modify):Osteoporosis screeningGlaucoma screening

Not more frequently than every 2 years for women over 65.Every 2-4 years up until age 65, then every 1-2 years.

Screening Tests for Men: In Your 20s:

Height and weightBlood pressureCholesterol screeningDiabetes screeningChlamydia & STD screeningGlaucoma screeningSkin cancer screening

Every 3 years.At all appointments; at least once every 3 years, more frequently if high.At least every 5 years, more frequently if high.Every 3 years for those with risk factors.Once a year for sexually-active men up to age 26.Every 3-5 years for men at high risk, at least once for men with no risk.At least every 5 years, no more often than once a year for men at high risk.

30s (add or modify):Cholesterol screeningGlaucoma screening

Every 3 years for those with risk factors.Every 2-4 years.

40s (add or modify):Diabetes screeningColorectal cancer screeningProstate cancer screening

Every 3 years for men over 45 years old, with risk factors.High risk — colonoscopy every 10 years, fecal occult blood test yearly, sigmoidoscopy every 5 years.Counseling for men at high risk.

50s (add or modify):Diabetes screeningColorectal cancer screeningProstate cancer screening

Every 3 years.Colonoscopy every 10 years or fecal occult blood test every year, sigmoidoscopy every 5 years.Counseling and possible prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal exam.

60s and above (add or modify):Glaucoma screening Every 2-4 years up until age 65, then every 1-2 years.

Source:(1) U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, “Guide to Clinical Preventive Services 2010-2011”. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/pocketgd.htm.

healthy habits

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■Empowered Consumers

Finding Information

Choosing a Hospital

Choosing a Physician

Physician Partnering

Health Insurance

Controlling Health Costs

Healthy Lifestyles

Preventing Illness

Managing Illness

Copyright 2010-2012 Mercer LLC. All rights reserved.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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