Find a medical provider and make that appointment : Steps 4 and 5.

November 15th marked the first day of open enrollment and that’s great news for all of us, because if you or someone you know does not have insurance now is the time to sign up and get covered for less.

I’ve been going through the 8 steps that are a guide for your health and healthcare, and steps 4 and 5 are about finding a medical provider and making an appointment to see them. Who we choose to be our medical provider should be just as important as how we choose a new cellphone, or buy a new car. Just like not all cellphones or cars are the same, neither are all providers. Everyone has a different style and needs and doing our research is about finding that right fit for us so that we feel comfortable and safe with our doctor. Go online, ask your friends for recommendations, and of course don’t forget to look through the available providers in your network. You want to make sure that if you’re on Medicaid or have the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) that they accept it. Make your appointment for a time that’s convenient for you (if possible, I know) and make sure you let them know ahead of time why you’re going to see them. On a side note, I always like to have my top 3 questions ready for my doctor to answer for me, and unless it is a true emergency, I don’t cancel because I know how hard it can be to get an appointment, and I also don’t want to take the time slot of someone who could have really needed it instead.

Para mas información en español, oprima aquí.

XOXO Helen