Maintaining a healthy relationship with your healthcare provider and medical scheme
But the key to combating these fears and challenges lies in trust. Maintaining a healthy relationship with your healthcare provider, built on trust, is the most fundamental factor that drives the choice of one provider over another.
After waiting many weeks to see your doctor, you still leave their office – or virtual consultation – stressed out with many questions, or worse, you don’t fully understand your diagnosis. If this happens to you more often than not, you are not alone.
Unfortunately, our healthcare system doesn’t always do a great job serving its customers. Working through the maze of medical aid options, health insurance plans, co-payments, deductibles, in-network or out-of-network providers, and the often prohibitive cost of treatment may discourage some people from entirely making use of the services available.
Some may even choose to suffer through an illness than make an effort to receive medical treatment, which may lead to chronic diseases and higher future costs due to emergency intervention.
Here are some ways you can build trust with your doctor and your medical scheme:
- Choose a doctor you feel comfortable with: It’s essential to choose a doctor you feel comfortable talking to, who takes the time to listen to your concerns, and who is contracted to your medical scheme.
- Ask questions: Be bold and ask your doctor about your health, treatment options, and concerns. A good doctor will take the time to answer your questions and explain things in a way that you can understand. Also, ensure your doctor completes the forms and codes your medical scheme requires to enable an easy claims process.
- Be honest: To receive the best care possible, it’s essential, to be honest with your doctor and medical scheme about your symptoms, lifestyle habits, and medical history.
- Follow their advice: If your doctor recommends a treatment plan or medication, it’s essential to follow their advice and take the steps necessary to improve your health.
- Seek a second opinion: If you have concerns about your doctor’s diagnosis or treatment plan, it’s okay to seek a second opinion. A good doctor will support you in seeking additional information and work with you to ensure you receive the best possible care.
