Be a “Wise” Healthcare Consumer All Year Long

Feb. 21, 2011 - PRLog -- Health insurance, prescription drugs, doctors’ office visits, trips to the hospital emergency room, surgery, deductibles and other medical expenses result in a significant annual investment in healthcare.

By practicing prevention, maintaining health and wellness, living a healthy, active lifestyle and being aware of healthcare costs, people will reduce their healthcare expenses, and improve their probability of living a long, active, healthy life.

February is National Wise Health Consumer Month, and the Nurse Practitioner Association of Long Island (NPALI) joins with the American Institute of Preventive Medicine (AIPM) to urge all Long Islanders to be  wise health consumers and are get the most healthcare for their money.

The key to being a wise health consumer is knowing and understanding treatment options; staying involved in your health; being an informed healthcare consumer, and paying attention to the care that is prescribed.

“People should educate themselves about the illnesses they have, medications  and treatments that are prescribed, and health promotion and illness prevention measures to achieve their highest level of health,” said Diane Bartscherer, DNP, NP, President of the NPALI.

The NPALI and AIPM advise that there are several steps that wise health consumer should follow:

1)      Understand your healthcare coverage: Take the time to read your health insurance policy. Make sure that you understand what it covers, including premiums, co–payments, deductibles, maximum covered amounts and participating providers.

2)      Select healthcare providers with great care: Get recommendations from your friends and family and confirm that the provider accepts your insurance.

3)      Get appropriate health screenings: Get routine diagnostic tests, examinations, and screenings. When — and how often — to have these examinations depends on age, gender, family history, lifestyle and health status. The examinations make it possible to diagnose a disease or illness in its earliest stage, which increases the potential to cure or manage the disease, reducing the impact that it has on quality of life.

4)      Practice self–management: Practicing self–management means taking responsibility and doing what is necessary to effectively manage an illness. Keep healthcare information organized and maintain a medical history, which includes doctor visits, immunizations, test dates, results, medications with doses and allergies.

5)      Use medicines safely: The best way to use medicines safely and appropriately is to follow the prescription instructions and understand the reason for taking the medication, how and when to take it and the possible side effects. If you do not understand something, don’t be afraid to ask. Never  walk out of the healthcare provider’s  office confused; ask for clarification. Your pharmacist is an excellent resource for medication information as well.

6)      Maintain a healthy lifestyle: The following lifestyle choices promote good health:

Quit smoking (or do not start)

Exercise regularly

Eat a healthy, balanced diet

Limit alcohol consumption

Manage your stress

7)      Take care of your mental health: Mental health can have an effect on physical health. Daily, persistent       stress can lead to physical symptoms including:

Sleep disturbances

Stomachache or diarrhea

Tension or migraine headaches

Greater susceptibility to colds and other infections

Fatigue

High blood pressure

Skin problems (hives, eczema, psoriasis)



“A wise healthcare consumer knows how to work with all members of the  healthcare team,  including physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, physician assistants,, pharmacists, insurance companies, hospitals and more,” said Dr. Bartscherer.  “There are many consumer health resources available to help make smart choices.”

The Nurse Practitioner Association of Long Island is a chapter of the Nurse Practitioner Association of New York State. NPALI was formed in 1980, and works in concert with the state organization for the purpose of uniting, representing, and advocating for the profession.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who are prepared, through advanced education and clinical training, to provide a wide range of preventive and acute health care services to individuals of all ages.  NPs complete graduate-level education preparation that leads to a master’s degree. NPs take health histories and provide complete physical examinations; diagnose and treat many common acute and chronic problems; interpret laboratory results and X-rays; prescribe and manage medications and other therapies; provide health teaching and supportive counseling with an emphasis on prevention of illness and health maintenance; and refer patients to other health professionals as needed.  NPs are authorized to practice across the nation and have prescriptive privileges, of varying degrees, in 49 states. The most recent Health Resources and Services Administration Sample Survey report (2008) shows 158,348 Nurse Practitioners in the United States, an increase of more than 12 percent over 2004 data. The actual number of nurse practitioners in 2006 is estimated to be at least 145,000.

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The Nurse Practitioner Association of Long Island is a chapter of the Nurse Practitioner Association of New York State. NPALI was formed in 1980, and works in concert with the state organization for the purpose of uniting, representing, and advocating for the profession. Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who are prepared, through advanced education and clinical training, to provide a wide range of preventive and acute health care services to individuals of all ages. NPs complete graduate-level education preparation that leads to a master’s degree. NPs take health histories and provide complete physical examinations; diagnose and treat many common acute and chronic problems; interpret laboratory results and X-rays; prescribe and manage medications and other therapies; provide health teaching and supportive counseling with an emphasis on prevention of illness and health maintenance; and refer patients to other health professionals as needed.