Bad Medicine: The Road Bumps In This Healthcare System Of Ours

Whatever your opinion on the politics and policies driving it, most of us can admit that our healthcare system is built in with too many roadblocks and too much room for error. They can leave patients not only vulnerable to bad treatment of their injuries, but also to severe financial implications when they need treatment. Here, we’re going to look at some of the biggest roadblocks in this healthcare system of ours, and how you can best prepare to handle them if you’re recovering from an accident, injury or illness.

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Don’t let the costs creep up on you

Healthcare is expensive in a variety of terrible ways. The costs of treatment at the hospital alone can be shocking and if you’re dealing with an uncommon illness, the prices of medication can be exorbitant. Even the costs of insulin, which treats one of the most common chronic conditions, are rising to unmanageable levels. It’s important to be aware of the ways that hospitals and other healthcare professionals can overcharge you, as shown at Forbes. From recommending treatments that may not be necessary to making medical bill errors that can expand your costs or even get in the way of coverage, you should keep an eye out on bad charging practices that you can fight or correct.

Fighting your own providers

Medical bill errors aren’t the only things that can stop you from getting the insurance coverage that you need. Medical insurance providers are notorious for trying to deny coverage, even if relying on bad faith arguments. The key is to stand up for yourself. This goes for disability insurance providers too, as this piece from Darras Law shows.  The unfortunate reality is that unscrupulous insurance providers first think of how they can save money rather than provide the service you’re paying them to and target vulnerable customers because they don’t expect them to fight back. If a legal consultation shows you have a chance to prove them wrong, you should take it.

The not-so-good doctor

Mistrust in doctors isn’t something you should promote, as we do rely on them a lot. However, skepticism can be necessary. If you are concerned that your doctor’s treatments have been hindering your recovery, rather than helping, that their diagnosis or treatment is wrong, or you simply have a bad gut feeling about their care, you should address those concerns. Be proactive about your health and seek a second opinion from another primary care provider and do research on complementary treatments and therapies that might help to improve your overall recovery. A second opinion, so long as it’s with a provider that’s covered by your insurance, never hurts.

The simple fact is that being in poor health makes you more vulnerable to mistreatment from the institutions you’re supposed to trust, but there are always options for you to take. The tips above can help you highlight some of them, but don’t be afraid to look to other medical or legal advice if you find yourself in a situation that isn’t covered here.