IHC Importance_of_Smart_Shopping

IHC Importance_of_Smart_Shopping

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  HealthCare Consumerism Solutions™ Iwww.TheIHCC.com I First Quarter 2015 43 W hy don’t we shop for health care services the same way we shop for major appliances, furniture or clothing? In my circle of friends and family, there are very few individuals I know who can just go out and purchase a $2,500 refrigerator without shopping around first. Some of us even go so far as to research Consumer Reports to determine the best model in our price range. It’s only once we figure out the make, model, fit and finish that we actually go out and purchase a major appliance like a refrigerator. So, why don’t we do this with health care? If any of you are like me, I visit the doctor who I’m familiar with, and if he tells me I need an ultrasound, I get it done at his office or wherever he refers me. I trust his recommendation. I don’t ask how much the ultrasound costs or what the difference is between his ultrasound machine and the one down the street. There are so many reasons why we don’t challenge the doctor. It’s easy to treat health care services like a Band-Aid. We use the “get in, get out” approach when it comes to our medical needs. The truth is that it’s very important to approach health care services the same way we treat other purchases. By putting in a little extra effort, we can make ourselves better, smarter health care consumers. We should approach health care services the same way we approach shopping, be it online or at a store. Before buying, always research the product, investigate resources and comparison shop. If, at the end of the day, you still go with the most expensive service, that’s okay because you have made an educated choice based upon research. You’ve done the work to determine what is best for your current situation. However, don’t lose sight of the fact that there are other options that may provide the same exact service at a much lower cost. The next time you seek medical attention, try picturing a large refrigerator, a big screen TV or a new dishwasher. Do a little research before you purchase. By putting in a little extra effort, you’ll become a smarter health care consumer! Margie is an HR executive with over 30 years of professional work experience. Her blog focuses on topics such as leadership, performance management, company culture, customer service, health & wellness and (of course) human resources. Read more at https://medium.com/@TheHRdish. The Importance of Smart Shopping for Health Care BY MARGIE RODINO VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL HUMAN RESOURCES SLOAN VALVE COMPANY EDUCATION Before buying, always research the product, investigate resources and comparison shop. If, at the end of the day, you still go with the most expensive service, that’s okay because you have made an educated choice based upon research.