In today's confusing world of medical change, taking charge of your health begins before you ever set foot in your provider's office. As healthcare benefits shrink and employers change insurance coverage, understanding available services and their costs has become even more essential.

Investing a small amount of time, documenting your health history and reading and gathering the necessary information from your insurance carrier will make your next medical visit more productive. When you arrive prepared for your visit, less time is spent dealing with administrative issues and more time spent on you and your concerns.

Taking charge of your healthcare requires you to become the managing partner in the relationship. Here are 10 simple tips to help you get the most from your next visit:

Brian S. Lauf, MPAS, PA-C, is a past president of the Nevada Academy of Physician Assistants. He works with Jay Chamberlain, MD, in the family practice offices of Sierra Nevada Family Medicine. They are located at 1625 E. Prater Way, Suite 103. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 352-7204.

1. Read your benefits manual. Talk with your health benefits officer at work if you have questions.
2. When making an appointment, ask if any paperwork can be filled out prior to your scheduled appointment. If so, pick up the papers or ask if they can be mailed to you.
3. If you have records from another office, request that they be sent to the new office. You will have to sign a consent form to release your information to the new office. Try to have the records available for the new office to review prior to your visit. More time can be spent on you rather than your records.
4. Bring your benefits manual with you to the office visit. If a referral or any tests are required, the appropriate preferred locations can be referenced easily and accurately.
5. Bring all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbal and dietary supplements you are taking.
6. When making your appointment, make the scheduler aware of all the issues you want to discuss. This will allow blocking out enough time to address these concerns. Trying to squeeze several complaints into a small timeframe lessens the quality of the interaction, makes you feel as if you are not heard and leaves the provider feeling rushed to stay on time. This is the major reason providers fall behind in their schedules.
7. Write down your concerns. Begin a health log or diary of your symptoms and summarize the symptoms for your provider.
8. Arrive on time for your appointment or early if any paperwork needs to be completed.
9. Request a copy of the office policy so that you are aware of the hours, after-hours availability, cancellation procedures, etc.
10. If you are unable to keep your appointment, call and let the office know as soon as possible. This could create an appointment for another patient who may need to be seen on an urgent basis.

These tips permit more time for your needs to be met and allow the medical office to run more efficiently. When you, your provider and office staff are committed equally to ensuring your concerns are addressed, your healthcare will receive the time and attention it deserves.

Northern Nevada Medical Center 2375 E. Prater Way, Sparks, NV 89434 775-331-7000