Last week, I shared a story titled When the System Works It Works Well. A comment from a reader made me rethink this story and see a different perspective that I had not considered. I wanted to share it with you as it was an important realization that we must remember...
Many good outcomes happen in healthcare. In this post, I want to share an example that shows when the system works, it works well. I had such a case a few years ago where I was asked to work with a man who hurt his back while working as a pipefitter in Jacksonville,...
Over the weekend, I watched several college basketball games. I like college basketball as it is all about heart and soul. As I watched, I recalled how I got interested in the sport. I remember back to March of 1986 when I did a few home care cases for extra money....
What is a ChatBot? Take a few minutes to read this article to learn more. Chatbots, artificial intelligence, and machine learning tools are becoming part of everyday life. Here is an example of a recent run-in I had! I was trying to upgrade my Vimeo account and had a...
To be an active healthcare team member, you must start with being organized. Here are some ways to get started: Be aware of who’s who. In your doctor’s office, ask to meet the office manager. When you meet them, ask for their business card. Let them know when things...
Hope for the Best and Be Prepared For The Worst is a quote by Maya Angelou that we must remember when entering the healthcare system. Recently, I met a woman who had an elective knee replacement. The Orthopedic Surgeon is part of a bundled payment program, which means...
In my last post, I talked about talking to your healthcare team. In this week’s post, I wanted to discuss building trust with your health insurance company. The first thing I suggest when you have a question for your insurance company is to look at your member...
I cannot stress enough the importance of talking to the healthcare team. Doing this can be intimidating as you know you are not at the same level as the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare team members. When I was a patient being treated for a Brain...
Case Managers are in place to assist people (patients and caregivers), coordinate care, and work with your team to help you obtain resources to meet your needs. They are in a place to advocate for YOU, the injured worker, the employer, and all healthcare team members....
When you go to the doctor’s office, do you prepare? Do write a list of questions on things that have come up since the last visit? Do you review your medications and make notes about how you are feeling, or note any side effects you notice? If you had lab work or any...
Last week, I talked about Health Insurance and provided some tips that readers could use to ensure you have a policy allowing you to get preventative care and care when sick or injured. In this week’s post, I wanted to share the importance of preparing for the...
This year, I will cover topics and provide resources to help YOU be your best advocate as a patient in the complex, costly, and sometimes dangerous system. In this article, I talk about how to make the most of your health insurance policy. Why is it important to be...
The week between Christmas and New Year’s is my favorite time of the year. The week gives us some downtime and a chance to review the past year and set new goals for the upcoming year. In 2024, I will focus on educating people about how to be their own best...
I recently heard a Christmas song that I had not heard before, and it touched me. The song was Grown Up Christmas List and was sung by Amy Grant in 1990. The story behind the song, Grown Up Christmas List- expresses the deepest wish in everyone’s heart: the hope...
In this week’s post, I wanted to share some things that make this time of the year memorable for me. Tis the Season! One of my favorite things to do this time of the year is to write Christmas cards to family and friends – especially those I don’t...
I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. This year, we traveled to the Northeast to spend the holiday with our families. We had a great time and were fortunate to spend quality time with everyone. Unfortunately, I came back with a bad chest cold. After doing a home...
On November 24, 2023, I will remember 9 years of being a cancer patient. I am grateful that I am here! But rest assured, there is not a day that goes by that I forget I am a cancer patient. I often wonder if people with other chronic medical conditions are so acutely...
