Navigating Healthcare: How to Confidently Begin

Welcome to the world of adulting – where suddenly, knowing what a “deductible” is could save your life and your wallet! Our latest session, Adulting 101, was all about demystifying the healthcare system and navigating healthcare in general. If you're just starting out in life’s big arena, here's your cheat sheet to emerging as your own healthcare hero.

Who's Running This Navigating Healthcare Show?

Meet your guide – Angie Hollis! Angie Hollis is a board-certified Family Medicine physician with a special interest in mental health awareness and improving healthcare access for the LGBTQIA+ community. With a rich career spanning urgent care, substance use, gender-affirming care, and telehealth services, Angie brings a wealth of experience and knowledge. Learn more about Angie here.

Disclaimer

It has to be said, this article does not constitute legal or medical advice. Rather, it is a guide to collaborating with your healthcare providers and advocating for yourself in medical situations.

Video of the Presentation

The Jargon Jungle: Cutting Through the Vocab

Feeling lost with insurance terms? We've all been there. Let’s break it down with a few to get you started:

HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): Your primary care provider is your bestie, but referrals are your golden tickets to see specialists. Lower costs but less flexibility.

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): More freedom, less referrals, more moolah. The price of liberty!

High Deductible Health Plan & HSAs: Feel like a fancy saver by pairing this with a Health Savings Account. Perfect if you're not a frequent flier at the doc’s office.

This is not an all inclusive list. Check out the presentation for a few more to know about. From co-payments to premiums, knowing these terms can help you navigate your medical visits and lower your stress levels.

Making Smart Choices: Where to Go and When

Primary Care, Urgent Care, or ER: Know where to head for those sniffles or sneezes. Save the ER for real emergencies; your wallet and peace of mind will thank you!

Telehealth: Ideal for non-urgent issues. But if you need hands-on care, it’s time to put on pants and visit a real-life office.

Keep Your Finances Happy

Healthcare can be one of the largest expenses you will have, right after housing. Here are a few ways to manage your expenses

• Stay in-network to avoid astronomical bills.
• Use preventive care; it's often covered 100%.
• Go generic with prescriptions or use discount programs like GoodRx to keep costs down.
• Take advantage if your employer matches any HSA contributions if you are able to save your income this way
  • Huge bonus if the HSA account is an interest bearing account

Privacy Matters in Healthcare: Your Rights and HIPAA 

Once you're 18, your health info is yours – and HIPAA ensures it stays that way. Need your parents to step in? You must explicitly allow it. Protect your privacy by considering ways to keep certain information to yourself if that’s important to you. Don’t skip the forms and be sure to read everything to know what you are agreeing to and how they are using your information and who can access it.

Advocating for You – Yes, You Can!

The secret sauce to adulting health care? Ask questions, seek second opinions, and don't feel pressured to get unnecessary treatments. Whether it’s clarifying a test's purpose or understanding a prescription's necessity, it’s your right to question and understand everything.

Consent – it matters when navigating healthcare too

Navigating consent during medical appointments is a crucial aspect of advocating for oneself and ensuring that your healthcare experience is both respectful and empowering. Consent is not just a signature on a form; it's an ongoing dialogue between you and your healthcare provider. 

It's important to ask questions and understand the purpose and risks of any procedure or medication being recommended. Don't hesitate to voice your concerns or seek clarification if something is unclear. Remember, you have the right to be fully informed before agreeing to any treatment. 

Collaborate By Advocating for You

Advocating for yourself means actively participating in decisions about your health and feeling confident to express your preferences or opt for a second opinion if needed. By doing so, you can cultivate a collaborative relationship with healthcare providers, ensuring your needs and values are at the forefront of your medical care.

Slippery Rock Shoutout

For those at Slippery Rock University – utilize Student Health Services! They are there to assist, so make use of them for confidential advice and care sans parental peeking.

Being equipped with this knowledge means stepping into adulthood with confidence. Healthcare doesn’t have to be intimidating when you’ve got the right tools and advice. Whether you're a frequent flier at the doctor's office or just prepping for the what-ifs, remember: you've got this!

Navigating Healthcare & Standing up for Yourself

Navigating healthcare can be tricky, but knowing how to handle medical appointments and stand up for yourself is a game-changer. With the right tips and tricks, you can take charge of your health and make smart choices that work for you. 

We’d love for you to join us at ConnectWork on Main for our Adulting 101 series. It's a fun and laid-back space where you can pick up all sorts of useful skills with the help of some awesome folks. Don’t miss out—check out the event calendar to see what’s coming up next and get ready to level up your adulting game with us!