High Deductible Blues

It is the beginning of the year and you have health insurance, right?  You chose a high-deductible plan because it was the best you could afford.  However, with a high deductible plan you essentially are likely going to pay for everything out of pocket unless you end-up having a medical event or surgery that puts you in the hospital. 

What is your strategy for your health?  Do you have a plan or will you just worry about it when it happens?  Let us play through a few scenarios and see which one seems to work better if you have a high deductible plan.

Scenario #1

It is Friday night and you start getting a headache and over-the-counter medications just don't cut it.  The Urgent Care is closed at 8pm and your choice is the ER.  You go to the ER and are seen your blood pressure is high and the cause of your headache.  After a CT scan, bloodwork and a long night in the ER.  Your health bill totals over $3000. 

Scenario #2

You cut your hand on Thursday morning making breakfast.  It is not a deep cut, but enough that you need stitches.  You to the local Urgent Care and they say they are unable to stitch you up because the cut it is located in a place the provider is not comfortable with, so they tell you to go to the ER.  You head to the ER and there is a long wait.  After about 4 hours and over $1000 later you are finally done.  You get an antibiotic to take to prevent infection, but you go to the pharmacy and it costs $70.  What choice do you have?  Do you need it?  Is there an alternative?  There is no one to call.

Is there another option?  You're a victim of the system what can you do?

There is another option.

Scenario #3

You had a headache a week ago and emailed your new DPC physician.  She reminded you to check your blood pressure and because it was high and you had no other issues she called in a higher dose of your medication and you came in to the office the next day at a convenient time for you.   She was able to quote you the price of your medication over the phone, so that it only cost you $4.  Today, you cut yourself with a kitchen knife.  You called her and you were in the office later that day and out in 30 min all stitched up.  You only lost 90 min at work.

The cost a Direct Primary Membership. 

Direct Primary Care Membership + a High Deductble Plan

Gives you COMPLETE coverage at a low fixed cost. (Like adding a "rider" to your insurance plan)

For less than $1500 a year (Less than the cost of 1 ER Visit)

  • You get personal care on nights and weekends
  • You get complete advice at the tips of your fingers thorugh email.
  • You get care in your home or work through home phone calls and video visits
  • You get the best deals in town on health testing because your DPC membership shops for them.
  • You save on prescriptions because you and your doctor discuss the price before you leave.
  • Your get a doctor who coordinates specialists and helps you sort through conflicting advice.
  • Consider a long-term view of your health.  Add some kick to your health care plan.

Call about Direct Primary Care today!  

 

Dr. Sharyl Truty

Dr Sharyl Truty MD is Physician Owner of Balanced Physician Care located in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. She has been engaged in family medicine, sports medicine, acupuncture and orthopedics for almost 15 years in many different capacities.  Dr. Sharyl is Board Certified in Family Practice and Sports Medicine, and fellow of the Integrative Medicine Program at the University of Arizona (Dr Weil) and a graduate of the UCLA Physician Acupuncture Program.  Please call 1-833-HEAL JAX to find out on how to become a member.

Doctor/Patient Relationship

 

The patient/doctor relationship, it’s what healthcare is all about. It’s the path in which data are gathered, diagnoses are made, treatments are discussed, and healing begins.

For many years, doctors have recognized that the well being of their patients depends upon effective communication between themselves and the patient.

Today, effective communication plays an even greater role, especially when most of us are self-diagnosing our ailments using the latest web post or some blog post 😉

You have a say in your healthcare decisions!

When you are actively involved in the decision making process, you get the combination of your doctor’s expert medical knowledge and your right to be fully informed of all treatment options, including potential side effects, success rates, harms and benefits.

This provides you with the information and support you need to make the best healthcare decisions for yourself.

A good relationship benefits everyone. A relationship built on mutual respect, knowledge, trusts, shared values, and perspectives about disease and life allows for better quality and better transfer of information regarding your disease or illness.

To help build or enhance a strong relationship with your doctor, you should:

  • Bring medical problems to the attention your doctor in a timely fashion
  • Provide all relevant information about your medical condition
  • Work with your doctor in a mutually respectful way

And remember you have the right:

  • You have the right to information regarding the benefits, risks, and costs of treatments
  • You can accept or refuse any treatments recommended by your doctor
  • You deserve courtesy, respect, dignity, responsiveness, and timely attention to your needs
  • Confidentiality
  • You have the right to continuous healthcare as long as further treatment is medically needed

We all know there are A lot of medical choices out there, but on the same note it can be difficult to find a doctor that you can build a quality, healthy, healthcare relationship with. Here are some suggestions to help in your search. Is your doctor willing to:

  • Sit down with you and give you the time needed to adequately discuss your medical issues
  • Develop an understanding of you as an individual, not as a disease or a medical condition
  • Show you empathy and respect
  • Listen attentively and create a partnership
  • Elicit your concerns and fears about your disease or condition
  • Answer questions honestly
  • Inform and educate you about treatment options and the course of care
  • Involve you in decisions concerning your medical care

Healthcare seems to be getting more rushed, more high-tech, and less personable all the time. The practice of sitting down with your doctor, and honestly and respectfully discussing your disease, condition, or concerns cannot be replaced.  I have great news...

That's what you get with a Balanced Physician Care Membership!

The true benefits of personal healthcare will always continue to cultivate therapeutic benefits that are commonly believed to improve the patient’s experience.

 

Sources:Fundamental Elements of the Patient-Physician Relationship—The American Medical Association
The Influence of the Patient-Clinician Relationship on Healthcare
Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta- Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials by John M. Kelley, Gordon Kraft-Todd, Lidia Schapira, Joe Kossowsky, Helen Riess
Patient-Physician Communication— American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Science of Detox

What exactly is “detox?”  Is this something you should do? 

According to a 2009 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, Americans are carrying in their body over 219 toxic chemicals at any given time. Fatigue, irritability, joint pain and brain fog symptoms can be a result of an increased toxic burden. A detoxification program is a great way to clear your body of toxins to prevent disease, improve metabolism, lose weight and improve mental clarity.  (more…)

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