How to Talk to Your Doctor About Costs, Care, and Other Concerns

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Talking to your doctor can be intimidating, but it's essential to getting the best care possible.

Before your next appointment, make sure you're ready to discuss any questions or concerns you have about the condition of your health. And start getting comfortable discussing healthcare costs and alternatives to help you save money. Building a rapport with your healthcare provider can help you get the most out of each visit and make your doctor's job easier.

How do you start a conversation with your doctor?

Learning how to talk to your doctor is an important step in getting the best possible care. It doesn't have to be complicated. At the start of your appointment, tell your doctor you have questions or concerns and ask when is the best time to address them.

Talking openly with your doctor will help you take a more active role in your healthcare. Don't hold back or leave out important information. Nothing is off-limits. If you avoid talking about something embarrassing or a topic that makes you emotional, it can be detrimental to your health.

Tips for talking with your doctor

Below are seven tips to help you make the most of your next doctor's appointment.

1. Prepare an agenda before your appointment

Healthcare providers are seeing more patients per day than ever before. But don't be nervous to ask for more time if you need it. Your health is important to both you and your doctor. And your involvement in your care is crucial.

Before your appointment, make a list of any recent symptoms or concerns that you would like to discuss with your doctor. And then prepare an agenda for the visit.

Also, consider doing the following so that you'll be ready to talk through costs if they come up:

• Check your summary of benefits and coverage.

• Collect your medical records and past test results.

• Make a note of your current medications and dosages.

2. Take notes

Don't rely on your memory to keep track of what you discuss with your doctor. At the start of your appointment, tell your doctor that you will be taking notes so you can remember the conversation. This way, you won't feel rude when you take a few minutes to jot down key points.

Ask your doctor to repeat things you didn't hear or to explain anything that is confusing. If you discuss medications, whether over the counter or prescription, ask your doctor to write them down for you. Also, ask them to include any recommendations about your health in your discharge paperwork.

Review your notes at the end of your visit and have your doctor clarify anything that seems unclear. Don't be afraid to get answers to all of your questions before leaving the office.

3. Have your medical history ready

Give your doctor a quick overview of your medical history during the appointment. To help with this, you should have the following information available:

• Notes about your medical history

• Dates and information about past surgeries, procedures, and treatments

• Information about your medications, both past and current

Talking to your doctor about your medical history will give you a chance to ask questions. It can also help you better understand why your doctor is recommending a certain medication or procedure.

4. Bring a friend or loved one with you

Going to a doctor's appointment can be stressful. If you're anxious about your visit, bring a loved one or a friend to the appointment to serve as an extra set of ears. They can help you think of questions you might have forgotten or take notes while you talk to your doctor.

5. Ask questions when you're confused

Don't be afraid to ask questions if you don't understand something or if you need clarification. Your appointment is the time to speak up if something your doctor says does not make sense. If something your doctor says sounds alarming, ask if you should be worried.

6. If you need a test or a treatment, ask about potential savings

Your doctor might order a test if they need more information to make a diagnosis. If this happens, take part in the conversation. You can start with the following questions:

• What is the purpose of the test?

• Why do I need it?

• How much does the test cost?

• What are the estimated out-of-pocket costs?

• Are there any doctor's fees?

• Are there any alternative tests or options?

After you get a better idea of the costs, you can talk to your healthcare provider about alternative ways to pay for a test (or treatment) and ways to save money. Even if the test ordered is something very common, like blood work or X-rays, it's worth voicing your concerns about the cost. Ask about:

• Existing discounts for payment upfront

• Financing options

• Financial assistance programs

If you understand the purpose, cost, and value of the care you're receiving, you can help make better decisions about treatments, alongside your doctor

7. Ask your doctor about generic medications

If your doctor recommends a specific medication, check to see if it has a generic option. Generic medications have the same active ingredients as brand-name medications but can cost 80% to 85% less. So, going forward, you may want to tell your provider that you prefer generic medications to save additional money.

References

Rectangle Health. (n.d.). Care now, pay later patient financing.

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