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CHOOSING A HEALTH PLAN
http://www.carecounsel.com/Resources_Links/Health_Plan/health_plan.html This open enrollment it will be particularly important to check out the available health plans and make your selection carefully. All Health Net plans are being replaced with a comparable Blue Shield plan with a comparable physician and hospital network. Because they’re will be some differences, you should check the plans carefully. Here is a useful guide to help you decide which plan to choose.

STEPS TO TAKE WITH PLAN CHANGES
This open enrollment it will be particularly important to check out the available health plans and make your selection carefully. All Health Net plans are being replaced with a comparable Blue Shield plan with a comparable physician and hospital network. Because they’re will be some differences, you should check the plans carefully. Here is a useful guide to help you

USUAL, CUSTOMARY, AND REASONABLE CHARGES
In the insurance world, a popular phrase considers whether or not a particular fee charged by a physician, dentist, or other health professional is “usual, customary, and reasonable,” or “UCR.” As a consumer, it’s important to be familiar with these terms since they can affect insurance reimbursement and additional out-of-pocket charges that you might have to pay. The following tips provide useful information about “UCR’s.” click for complete article

ASSERTIVE HEALTHCARE STRATEGIES
The days when you went to a neighborhood doctor who cared for you most of your life are long past. The era of the health care consumer has arrived. But you may not be ready to take on this role. Telling your doctor or health plan what you expect and taking an active part in your health care decisions may not be as easy as it sounds. But researchers like Sherrie Kaplan, PhD, of the Primary Care Outcomes Research Institute, have shown that the physician-patient relationship has a big impact on health outcomes. click for complete article

CHOOSING A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN
Your primary care physician’s role is to oversee your healthcare, including recommending preventive care, referring you to specialists, requesting diagnostic tests and treatments, and making sure that your questions and concerns are addressed. So it’s important to select a physician you trust and in whom you have confidence. Ideally, the time to establish a relationship with your PCP is when you are well, not when you are sick or injured and need medical help in a hurry. click for complete article

CHOOSING A SPECIALIST
People who are basically well receive most of their health care from a primary care physician (PCP). However, if you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to be treated by a specialist. If you have a chronic illness, such as diabetes or heart disease, you may have a PCP who is also board certified in a specialty relating to your illness. Typically, your PCP will refer you to the specialist. Depending on the type of health insurance plan to which you belong and the urgency of your condition, you may be involved in the selection process. click for complete article

CHOOSING A DENTIST
It’s easy to assume that one dentist should be just as good as the next. But as a consumer, you’ll want to make sure that your dentist has the appropriate credentials and training, a competent and caring staff, and offers state-of-the-art dental care. Going to the dentist is rarely a fun experience, but you’ll probably feel less anxious if you know that the dentist and office staff are providing you with the best dental care available. click for complete article

KEEPING A PERSONAL HEALTH RECORD
Today everyone needs to manage his or her own health care in partnership with their primary care physician. Staying healthy involves more than calling your doctor when you’re sick or injured. It means eating balanced nutritious meals, getting the right kind and amount of exercise and rest, and having a lifestyle that promotes wellness and prevents illness. One important thing that you can do to promote wellness and get the most out of your visits with the doctor is to maintain a personal health record. Keeping a personal health record is a simple process, but it has many benefits. click for complete article

PERIODIC PHYSICAL EXAMS
For many years, doctors recommended an annual physical as the best way to stay healthy. Research has shown that complete head-to-toe check-ups don’t lead to earlier disease detection and prevention and are unnecessarily expensive. Health experts now agree that periodic exams tailored to an individual’s age, sex, risk factors and lifestyle are more effective.

In order to gain the most from visits to the doctor, you need to know what to expect and be ready to share in important decisions with your doctor about your health care. click for complete article

HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION
Health care costs would be greatly reduced if people didn’t become ill and need treatment and hospitalization. Illnesses that were common in the past 30-40 years are less prevalent now due to effective preventive measures. However, it’s not necessary to wait for scientists to discover magic vaccines to prevent all known illnesses. Research has shown that today’s major health problems are increasingly the result of chronic and acute conditions related to personal health behaviors; behaviors that can be changed. click for complete article

TRAVEL HEALTH
In preparation for a trip, you may spend hours researching good deals with airline tickets, finding conveniently located hotels and mapping out points of interest. But how much time do you invest in your travel health? A little time spent on health-related preparation can help to make your vacation or business trip safe, enjoyable and healthy. click for complete article

TALKING WITH YOUR DOCTOR
Today, the patient-doctor relationship is more like a partnership where you and your doctor work together to maintain your health. Making this partnership work and getting the most out of your medical care depends on good communication between you and your doctor. When you take an active part in decisions about your health care, you and your doctor share the responsibility for good communication. click for complete article