Full Answer
What questions should I ask my doctor about my treatment?
You may want to ask your doctor some of the following questions: How long will it take for me to get better and feel more like myself? What kind of care should I expect after my treatment?
How do I ask a doctor for a medical bill?
You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE about billing questions. Make sure you have the date of service, total charge in question, and the name of your doctor and hospital. Even with this information, it's not easy to be as assertive in a health care setting as it is in an auto repair shop or restaurant.
What questions to ask your doctor about chemotherapy?
13 Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Chemotherapy Is chemotherapy the best choice of treatment for my condition? What is the usual standard of care for people with the... Are there clinical trials or experimental treatments available for the type of cancer that I have? Why should or... What drugs ...
What do I do if I Have Questions about Medicare billing?
If you still have questions, you should contact the Medicare carrier that handles billing issues for your Medicare program. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE about billing questions. Make sure you have the date of service, total charge in question, and the name of your doctor and hospital.
Where can I ask medical questions?
Find answers to your medical questions with these five sitesHealthiNation. While some sites deliver articles of medical information, HealthiNation uses videos to inform you about what a condition is all about.Livestrong.Medpedia. ... WebMD.Wellsphere.
Who gives advice for a medical treatment?
Medical advice is given in the context of a doctor–patient relationship. A licensed health care professional can be held legally liable for the advice he or she gives to a patient. Giving bad advice may be considered medical malpractice under specified circumstances.
Can I call my doctor to ask a question?
It's OK to ask questions, and Roter stresses that you should feel comfortable asking as many of them as you need to understand your doctor's advice. “Sometimes people are reluctant to ask questions. Ask your doctor to clarify what they're saying in plain language if they're talking in medical-speak,” she says.
What are your HIPAA rights?
With limited exceptions, the HIPAA Privacy Rule (the Privacy Rule) provides individuals with a legal, enforceable right to see and receive copies upon request of the information in their medical and other health records maintained by their health care providers and health plans.
Who has the right to make health care decisions for patients?
The law recognizes that adults—in most states, people age 18 and older—have the right to manage their own affairs and conduct personal business, including the right to make health care decisions.
What is the medical decision maker called?
A durable power of attorney for healthcare may also be called a “medical power of attorney” or “healthcare power of attorney.” This document, which should be notarized, designates a proxy or surrogate to act as a decision maker for your care and treatment in the event you are incapacitated by illness or injury and ...
Where can I ask a doctor a question for free online?
Enter HealthTap. The popular app allows users to ask its team of 35,000 active, U.S.-licensed doctors health-related questions for free. The free service allows users to ask a question under 150 characters.
How do you Enquire about your health?
Phrase 6 is really asking about health but the other person may answer with general information about their life....Asking about health/life (Elementary)How are you?How are things?How's things?How's it going?How are you getting on?How have you been?What have you been (getting) up to?I hope everything's okay?More items...
Can you chat with a doctor online for free?
Yes. The online Doctor will be able to answer all your questions. but if there is something you want to discuss, then please book an appointment for Video Consultation by clicking Book Now button, and you can have a detailed conversation with a Doctor.
What are examples of HIPAA violations?
Here is the list of the top 10 most common HIPAA violations, and some advice on how to avoid them.Keeping Unsecured Records. ... Unencrypted Data. ... Hacking. ... Loss or Theft of Devices. ... Lack of Employee Training. ... Gossiping / Sharing PHI. ... Employee Dishonesty. ... Improper Disposal of Records.More items...•
What is considered a violation of HIPAA?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability, or HIPAA, violations happen when the acquisition, access, use or disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI) is done in a way that results in a significant personal risk of the patient. The regulation concerns just about everyone that works with PHI.
What are patients rights in healthcare?
To courtesy, respect, dignity, and timely, responsive attention to his or her needs. To receive information from their physicians and to have opportunity to discuss the benefits, risks, and costs of appropriate treatment alternatives, including the risks, benefits and costs of forgoing treatment.
What to remember when deciding on a treatment?
Here are some things to remember when deciding on a treatment: Discuss different treatment choices. There are different ways to manage many health conditions, especially chronic conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol. Ask what your options are. Discuss risks and benefits of treatment options.
Why do doctors suggest changing your diet?
Doctors and other health professionals may suggest you change your diet, activity level, or other aspects of your life to help you deal with medical conditions. Research has shown that these changes, particularly an increase in exercise, have positive effects on overall health.
What does it mean to know more about surgery?
If so, your doctor will refer you to a surgeon. Knowing more about the operation will help you make an informed decision about how to proceed. It also will help you get ready for the surgery, which makes for a better recovery.
Do you need a second opinion for a surgery?
When patients are diagnosed with a serious illness or surgery is recommended, patients often seek a second opinion. Hearing the views of two different doctors can help you decide what’s best for you. In fact, your insurance plan may require it.
How to complain about poor care in a hospital?
How can I complain about poor medical care I received in a hospital? While you are in the hospital: If possible, first bring your complaints to your doctor and nurses. Be as specific as you can and ask how your complaint can be resolved. You can also ask to speak to a hospital social worker who can help solve problems and identify resources.
What do you do if you get an infection in the hospital?
If you get an infection while you are in the hospital or have problems getting the right medication, you can file a complaint with the Joint Commission . This group certifies many U.S. hospitals' safety and security practices and looks into complaints about patients' rights. It does not oversee medical care or how the hospital may bill you.
What do social workers do when patients leave the hospital?
Social workers also organize services and paperwork when patients leave the hospital. If you are covered by Medicare, you can file a complaint about your care with your State's Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) . These groups act on behalf of Medicare to address complaints about care provided to people covered by Medicare.
How long does it take to appeal a hospital discharge?
You should get a form from the hospital titled "An Important Message from Medicare," which explains how to appeal a hospital discharge decision. Appeals are free and generally resolved in 2 to 3 days. The hospital cannot discharge you until the appeal is completed.
Can you appeal a discharge plan?
The discharge planner will take your concerns to the doctor who makes this decision. If you are covered by Medicare or by a Medicare managed care plan, you can file an appeal about a discharge while you are still in the hospital.
Can a hospital discharge you until appeal is completed?
The hospital cannot discharge you until the appeal is completed. When you get your hospital bill: First, ask your doctor or the hospital's billing department to explain the charges. Find out how the hospital handles complaints about bills, and make your case. If you still have questions, you should contact the Medicare carrier ...
How to be a good healthcare provider?
Tip #1: Be involved in your healthcare.#N#To be involved in your healthcare: 1 Take part in all decisions about your treatment 2 Complete your advance directives and provide a copy to your healthcare provider 3 Share any special care needs that you have 4 Ask a trusted family member or friend to accompany you when you visit your doctor if you are too ill or stressed to participate yourself 5 Remember you are the center of the healthcare team.
What to tell healthcare workers before surgery?
Healthcare workers should tell you what they plan to do before any procedure. Also, you can remind healthcare workers who have direct contact to wash their hands. Handwashing is an important way to prevent the spread of infection. Tip #5: Bring your doctor a list of your medications and mention any allergies you have.
How long do you have to live to be eligible for hospice?
Am I Eligible for Hospice Care? Anyone with a serious illness who doctors think has a short time to live — generally 6 months or less —usually qualifies for hospice care. For Medicare to pay for hospice care, patients must stop medical treatment intended to cure or control their illness.
Can you continue chemotherapy in hospice?
However, a person in hospice can continue to take medications to treat other conditions or symptoms, for example, high blood pressure.
Does hospice provide 24/7 care?
Does Hospice Include 24/7 Care? While some may think hospice provides 24 hours a day, 7 days a week custodial care, or full-time care at home or an outside facility, this is rarely the case. Although hospice provides a lot of support, most of the day-to-day care of a person dying is provided by family and friends.
What questions can be asked for monitoring purposes?
This might include questions relating to recent absences, or how the employee is finding their currently working arrangement. An employer can ask about a medical condition if it’s thought that the condition might affect the employee’s ability to do their job. For example, the British Armed Forces ...
Where is medical information stored?
It’s also vital that any medical information is stored securely in a locked filing cabinet or in trustworthy HR software, where it cannot be accessed by anyone other than those that need to know the details.
Why is it important for employers to understand what is required of them?
Employers must understand what is required of them in order to avoid breaking the law. While it’s important to abide by the law, medical conditions can be a difficult topic to approach, and so it is equally as important for employers to be sensitive to the needs of each employee – beyond what is required of them by law.
Can an employer request that an employee disclose health information?
Employers cannot request that an employee discloses information about any health conditions that arise during employment. Employees might choose to volunteer information, and if they do then the employer is required to make reasonable adjustments to support the employee in their work. If an employer is making reasonable adjustments for an employee, ...
Can an employer ask an employee a question about medical conditions?
The employee is protected by law when it comes to asking questions about medical conditions, as the employer must be able to show that they had a valid reason for asking a question. If an employee believes that they were asked a question for purposes of discrimination or as an invasion of privacy, then the employee can seek legal action.
Can an employee be dissolved after sickness leave?
An employee can receive warnings and reprimands for continued lateness or poor performance, and employment contracts can be dissolved following long-term sickness leave if the employer is unaware of any medical reasons for this.
Can employers ask for medical certificates?
Employers also have a right to ask for medical certificates and proof of any condition, including fit notes if necessary, which should also be kept in a secure place. For more on what employers can legally ask their employees about disability and health, check out the gov.uk site.
About Your Symptoms Or Diagnosis
- What is the disease or condition?
- How serious is my disease or condition and how will it affect my home and work life?
- What is the short-term and long-term prognosis for my disease or condition?
- What caused the disease or condition?
About Your Treatment
- What are my treatment options?
- How long will the treatment take?
- What is the cost of the treatment?
- Which treatment is most common for my disease or condition?
If You Need Surgery
- Why do I need surgery?
- What surgical procedure are you recommending?
- Is there more than one way of performing this surgery?
- Are there alternatives to surgery?
Health & Safety Tips
- How Patients Can Take an Active Role in Their Care and Safety Participating in your own care has many advantages.Your doctor, nurse and other healthcare providers welcome your involvement. Below, find tips for you and your family to help us ensure your health and safety: Tip #1: Be involved in your healthcare. To be involved in your healthcare: 1. Take part in all decisions about …