Introduction
Navigating the healthcare system is not easy. Whether you have a health condition, are caring for someone who does, or need to navigate your way through insurance and benefits, there are many steps involved in getting the care you deserve. That’s why we’ve compiled this guide to help with some of those steps.
The Healthcare System: Where to Start
The healthcare system is made up of all organizations that provide healthcare services to people, such as hospitals and clinics. The role of the healthcare system is to help patients get well by providing treatment for illness or injury, including prevention.
Basic components include:
- Doctors and nurses who diagnose illnesses and injuries and provide treatment for them;
- Pharmacists who dispense medications;
- Other medical professionals who work in facilities such as labs or radiology departments
The Language of the Healthcare System
The language of the healthcare system can be difficult to understand, especially if you’re new to it.
We’ll cover some basic terms and phrases you might hear in the healthcare system, as well as ways for you to learn more about them.
Getting Help, Accessing Services and Understanding Benefits
- Getting Help
- Accessing Services and Understanding Benefits
- Understanding Your Coverage
How to Keep Track of Medical Records & Insurance Information
To make sure you have all the information you need when you need it, keep a list of all your health care providers, their phone numbers and addresses. This can be particularly important if you’re in an emergency situation and don’t have your phone on hand.
You should also keep copies of all medical records–including test results and copies of prescriptions–in case they get lost or damaged in the mail. If possible, store these documents somewhere other than where they were originally sent (for example: scan them into a computer file). Storing them digitally allows you to access them anywhere with an internet connection without having to worry about losing them in transit or having physical copies stolen from your house or mailbox by identity thieves.
Keep track of any insurance policies that apply to any medical bills associated with this condition; ideally this includes both employer-sponsored insurance plans as well as Medicare/Medicaid eligibility status (if applicable).
Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped you understand the basics of navigating the healthcare system. It can be overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that you are not alone in your journey. There are many people who have faced similar situations and will be happy to help if you reach out with questions or concerns.
