How adults can take active
roles in their health care
Adults play a signifi cant role
in their own health care.
Adults focused on getting
fit may visit various fitness facilities
before signing up for a
membership, and individuals
who want to improve their diets
may spend countless hours
poring over healthy recipes and
the latest trends in nutrition.
Such research pays dividends,
and the same commitment can
be applied to choosing the right
health care services.
Adults who are enrolled in employer
sponsored health insurance
plans may feel as though their options
are limited in regard to their
health care services. However, there
are many ways for patients to get
more out of their health care plans.
Shop around for a primary
care physician
It’s easy to be overwhelmed when
perusing lists of in-network primary
care physicians provided by insurance
companies. Such lists can seem
endless and it can be hard to distinguish
one physician from another.
Adults in need of new primary
care physicians can ask neighbors
or family and friends who live
nearby for recommendations. It’s
important to put the time in when
choosing a primary care physician,
as people who are comfortable with
their physicians are more likely
to schedule annual wellness visits
or book appointments when they
aren’t feeling well. Such visits can
be life-saving.
Schedule annual wellness
visits
Annual wellness visits are very
important, even for health-conscious
individuals who are not experiencing
any signs of illness
or injury. Regular checkups and
screenings can uncover health problems
even when no symptoms are
present,potentially saving patients’
lives. For example, Hackensack Meridian
Health reports that mammograms
have reduced breast cancer
mortality in the United States by 40
percent since 1990. Many insurance
providers cover annual physicals at
no cost to the patient, and screenings
COURIER L 28 IFE, JANUARY 8-14, 2021
There are many ways for patients to get more out of their health care plans. Metro Creative Connection
can catch diseases early when
they’re at their most treatable and
treatment is less expensive and less
time-consuming.
Be a prepared patient
Prepare a list of questions prior
to a scheduled doctor’s appointment.
Jot questions down as they come to
you in the weeks leading up to the
appointment and don’t hesitate to
ask questions during the visit.
Be open and honest with your
physician.
Concealing behaviors from your
physician will negate some of the
benefits of visiting the doctor. For
example, if you live a largely sedentary
lifestyle but tell your doctor
you’re physically active, he or she
won’t offer advice on how to make
exercise a bigger part of your life.
Being open and honest with a physician
enables the doctor to give the
best medical advice.
Taking an active role in their
health care is a great way for adults
to improve their overall health and
can help them reduce their risk for
illness.
— Metro Creative Connection
Health