Essential Tips for Anyone Who Visits the Doctor

Do you know what questions to ask your doctor at your next appointment? Do you know how much your next surgery will cost? What’s your plan for taking care of your mental health?

Whether you are trying to decide on a new health plan or want to be more aware of your healthcare choices, being a wise healthcare consumer can make all the difference.

Here are tips from Phelps Health on how to become a wiser healthcare consumer:

1. Take your time choosing a physician or provider to ensure they’re a good fit for your healthcare needs. View our providers.
2. Practice preventive care to help determine your risk for conditions like diabetes, cancer or heart disease. Your primary care provider can tell you which screenings to get and when to get them.
3. Prepare for your doctor appointments. Make a list of questions and concerns you want to discuss with your doctor ahead of time and bring the list to your next appointment. If possible, bring a family member, caregiver or loved one with you to your appointments, so they can help you remember to ask questions and recall what your doctor said.
4. Understand your medications and take them as prescribed. You also can ask your doctor or pharmacy about generics to see if you can save money by switching to a generic brand of your prescription.
5. Remember to take care of your mental health. Mental health is essential to your overall health and quality of life, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Taking time to relax, set goals, eat healthy and exercise all work together to impact your overall mental health.
6. Understand your healthcare plan and costs associated with care. Whether you have Medicare/Medicaid, insurance through your workplace or through the Affordable Care Act/Health Insurance Marketplace, knowing your benefits can help save you money. Phelps Health’s Financial Navigator Department can assist you with navigating your healthcare costs. To learn more, call (573) 458-8980.
7. Get a price estimate. To determine the costs of procedures ahead of time, use the Phelps Health price estimator tool. And to ensure there are no surprises, familiarize yourself with your insurance plan, so you know what your financial responsibility will be. You can view price estimates by logging into your MyChart account at mychart.phelpshealth.org. If you have billing questions, contact Phelps Health Patient Financial Services at (573) 458-7715.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in February 14, 2022, and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.