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.
- 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.
- Your rights and responsibilities as a patient.
- The rules of your insurance plan before you use medical services.
Be Informed
- Learn about your own as well as your family’s illnesses.
- Find out about the latest treatments and alternatives to surgery.
- 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.