Save Money, Time in Search for Good Health Care (Part One)
July 18, 2007 — Jacqueline L. JonesBy Jacqueline L. Jones
Finding a professional who understands chronic illness can be one of your greatest health care expenses. You may be able to save time and money by contacting a local health food store owner for leads.
If you know or think you know the cause of your symptoms, ask the store owner about professionals who may be familiar with your problem and about support groups, another good source of leads. If that doesn’t pan out, try an Internet search by entering in the name of the illness followed by “support groups.”
If you live in a small town, try searching for groups not just in your immediate area but also in a larger city nearby. Try to get at least two or three leads because what works for one person does not work for everyone.
Next week we will cover creative ways to pay for health care services.
Fatima Hyder edited this post.
August 15, 2007 at 10:36 pm
I certainly agree – finding good health care is a challenge. In fact, I think one of the reasons so many people default to the use of traditional medicine is that the field of alternative medicine is just so overloaded with options.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it can be overwhelming to someone that is searching for a solution for their chronic illness.
During my 32 years of practicing mind/body healing as a Health Psychologist, I know how difficult it usually is for someone with a chronic illness to break free of our cultural trance of the holy medical triad – Chemotherapy-Radiation-Surgery.
Therefore, I strongly support your advice to find a support group. Although this may be a way to get a referral to a caring and competent healthcare professional, there is just so much social and family pressure against going to an alternative provider that you will need all the support you can find.
As for choosing a practitioner, I find the best way is to get on the phone. Most alternative practitioners and healers will be willing to spend a few minutes talking with you.
And trust me here; having lots of experience with the name of the disease you are dealing with is not all its cracked up to be. It’s so much more important that you find someone that you can form an emotional bond with.
November 4, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Great post! A friend of mine has a chronic illness and was turned down by several health care professionals before she found a Dr. to help her. Most Dr.’s find the amount of paperwork needed for these patients is more than they can handle. Some of the disability companies require extensive updates by the Dr. every 3 months. Yikes….Di