Become an Informed Health Care Consumer

Take Responsibility for Your Health

Be proactive in your family’s health care. You have some control over many health conditions through your own lifestyle choices. Don’t wait until you have a medical emergency to learn about your health plan coverage.

Plan Ahead

Select a health plan that meets your needs before you become ill or need medical services. Select doctors and hospitals you trust. Check that they will work with your insurance company and are reasonably priced. Learn more...

Be Knowledgeable

• Stay active - learn ways to maintain or increase your activity level here. Inactivity can lead to excess weight or osteoporosis. Excess weight strains your hips and knees and can make arthritis pain worse. Learn more about arthritis.

• Osteoporosis (weakening bones) makes fractures more likely. Hip fractures are especially dangerous. Read more on osteoporosis.

• Learn how to protect your hips and knees from injury.

• 90% of hip fractures result from falls in the home. Learn how to prevent falls.

• Know the following things:
• Your personal and family medical history.  The Utah Department of Health provides an easy-to-use Family Health History Toolkit so you can get started today.
• Questions to ask your doctor during an office visit.  Read More…
• Your rights and responsibilities as a patient.  Read more… 
• The rules of your insurance plan before you use medical services.

Be Informed

• If you are uninsured, read some great tips on finding health insurance coverage in Utah.  Read More…. 
• Learn about your own as well as your family’s illnesses.
• Properly manage your medications by ordering a free Medication Management Checkbook --- courtesy of the Utah Department of Health.                                                  
• Find out about the latest treatments and alternatives to surgery.

• If you are considering surgery, ask your doctor if minimally-invasive techniques are right for you.  Read More….
• Consider yourself a partner in your care and treatment.

Speak Up

• No one knows more about you than you do! Tell your doctor about your symptoms and what you think may be causing them. Ask what types of treatments are available and why your health care professionals are suggesting one treatment rather than another.
• Don’t avoid the doctor. Keep your doctor informed of your personal and family medical history and keep your physical exams up to date, especially if you have risk factors, like arthritis or osteoporosis (weakening bones).

If You Need Treatment

• Any surgery has risks, including surgery for joint replacement or repair of a hip fracture. Be sure to speak with your doctor before and after your surgery about your personal risks for complications.

• Follow medication directions. If you are prescribed medications, take them exactly as directed. Maintain open discussion with your doctor about medications that might be beneficial to you if you discover arising problems.

• Follow instructions during and after your hospital stay. Read more about activities after a hip or knee replacement.

Please be aware that information in this report is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice.  Always ask questions and seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment.

CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.