Healthcare 101
When someone you care about gets sick, you must learn to care for them and navigate the healthcare world if you want the best outcome for their health and well-being. In the last ten years, healthcare has changed. Fewer healthcare professionals do the work, and fewer healthcare facilities offer services. The result is that doctors send patients home for families to provide care.
However, hospitals expect families to follow the same rules in the home as those observed in the hospital with limited training provided. As a result, patients are at risk for more significant harm and complications, and caregivers deal with a mountain of frustration.
The more you know about the healthcare world, the easier it is to avoid some of this. Welcome to Healthcare 101.
Healthcare is a highly regulated industry. Laws and regulations about privacy, who has authority, safety, and many other topics guide decisions and rights within the walls of a healthcare facility. Understanding them will make working with healthcare providers easier.
Ordering, maintaining and budgeting for the necessary medical supplies, equipment, and resources needed for medical care.
When someone is sick or injured, they seek care from a healthcare professional or facility. That resource expects to receive pay for their services unless they work with a government-sponsored free clinic. In that situation, services may be free or at a reduced rate. Those who do not qualify for free services either pay based on their economic status (i.e., fee-for-service, ability-to-pay) or have insurance to cover their cost. Insurance is often provided by an employer or bought by an individual in the marketplace. The coverage type depends on the individual’s ability to pay, their medical history, and many other factors.
Knowing how hospitals and doctors’ offices function, medical terminology, how to interpret test results, and who’s who on the healthcare team can help caregivers achieve their desired services more successfully. In addition, understanding healthcare regulations and laws makes it easier to complete the required paperwork and get it approved the first time it is submitted.
