Patient Healthcare Consumers Shop Around

Today's patient healthcare consumer are more savvy and empowered than ever.  When it comes to selection of health services, they know what works best for them. Trying to afford this can be a challenge.  Healthcare shopping is limited to what health providers offer.  This leaves little room for healthcare consumers to choose what is best for them at reasonable, low, competitive prices.  Now that prices for every health service and treatment are the highest ever, the patient is expected to pay these exorbitant expenses.  Health insurance premiums have risen so high so quickly that  it has outpaced people's income which has failed to rise so high so quickly.  The choices for this type of health product are so limited in this age of company mergers which will make the choices even less.  In addition, employers who provide health insurance are requiring the employees to pay more out of their own pocket.


Shopping for medication can be quite costly as well.  The brand name versus generic medication battle is expensive as constant differences erupt over who gets to have what rights.  The healthcare consumer tries to buy what they need for sure.  If they can, they buy less needed medication and use it as needed - sparingly.  Medication that cost the most whether non-prescription or prescription are usually the first to go.  Cheaper alternatives are found as patients learn more about what good health and well-being  can be with lifestyle changes and less medication.  Food, housing, transportation, school come first in most households.  Again, health needs drop further down the list as the budget limit is approached.


For individual health care to work, the health care consumer must have more choices.  The health industry has few choices at big prices.  Unlike any other industry the consumer is unable to procure what they know they need on their own.  A doctor's order or health insurance prior authorization is required to obtain necessary tests from certain providers.  Patient healthcare consumers should be able to shop around for what is best for them - best test at best price conveniently close to their home.  Diagnostic centers are now more plentiful than ever.  You can make your own appointment at where you want to get the test; however permission from a doctor in the form of a referral or prescription is usually required.  Of course, this can delay necessary care.


Similar restrictions are seen in the doctors' offices and hospitals.  The power to purchase and make the decision for your health purchase is anyone but you - the patient!  There are few choices such as the variety available when choosing a car or an ice cream flavor.  As medical reimbursements to health providers are lowered, so will be the choices the healthcare consumer.  Patients are paying more out of their pockets for things not covered by insurance at an alarming rate - more than any time since tracking health care expenditures began!  As more medical decision making and payment is shifted to the patient, more choices are evolving.  For instance, direct primary care is giving patients the opportunity to have a direct agreement with the health care provider of their choice for medical services rendered.  This allows patient healthcare consumers (pun intended) to look for what is best for them.

As more choice and less restrictions occur, patients will have more choices as they should.  You can empower your health with less stress and frustration as a smart healthcare consumer.  Shop around until you find the health services that fit your needs and budget.   Best health!