Get Savvy...Demystifying Healthcare

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Having a surgery planned, or elective is concerning. There are so many questions and concerns.

I know I had a total knee replacement surgery a year ago, and while my surgeon and the facility where I was having the procedure were awesome in providing prep documents and answering my questions, I was still anxious.

I remember creating these scenarios about what could happen and wanting to ask additional questions to put my mind at ease but being hesitant to do so.

Don’t hesitate and ask the questions you need. This is happening to you...be your own advocate and remember that a well-informed patient tends to be more satisfied with the outcome or results of a procedure.

What we will discuss:

1. You’re Thinking About an Elective Surgery – Questions to Ask
2. The Cost of Surgery - Options for Managing Your Out of Pocket Cost
3. You’ve Planned Your Surgery – Now What?

Resources:
Questions to Ask Before Surgery

8 Tips For Reducing the Cost of Your Medical Procedure

Health Care Costs Number One Cause of Bankruptcy for American Families

Knee Replacement Cost By State: HOPD vs. ASC

Are Outpatient Surgery Centers Safe

Episode 7: No Surprises Act...Just Say No To Out Of Network Bills

Free Pricing Tool – Fair Health Consumer

How To Get A Fair Price On A Medical Procedure

Pricing Tool: Turquoise Health

Episode 11: Pricing Your Procedure Tips for Reducing Costs

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Does it sound familiar? As a parent of a child with autism, have you been told to simply 'tough it out' when facing the challenges of navigating the healthcare system and practicing self-care?
The result is often feelings of isolation, frustration, and burnout, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and unsupported. But there is a better way. Let's explore effective strategies and essential tips to overcome these challenges and improve your well-being as a parent of a child with autism.

In this episode, we will discuss:

· How to overcome the challenges faced by parents of children with autism to have an improved quality of life for the entire family.

· Be your own advocate in healthcare to ensure that your child's unique needs are met with understanding and compassion.

· Recognizing caregiver isolation and burnout and how to find key strategies to maintain your well-being and resilience.

· The power of support for family caregivers which leads to a stronger, more sustainable caregiving journey.

My special guest is Sarah Stelmach-Brown

Sarah Stelmach-Brown is a dedicated caregiving advocate with a major focus on autism, neurodivergence, and Alzheimer's disease. As the host of the podcasts Caregiver Chronicles and Autism Out and About, Sarah brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. A mother of two boys on the autism spectrum, Sarah's background also includes work as a certified nursing assistant and certified medication technician in various caregiving settings. Her raw and passionate approach, coupled with her personal and professional experiences, allows Sarah to fearlessly tackle serious topics while infusing wit to bring levity to challenging situations. Through her podcasts, Sarah aims to help caregivers from all walks of life connect with others and advocate for better care for those in need

I think sharing resources and connecting family caregivers, reminding people they're not alone, those are our primary goals. Caregiver isolation is a huge factor in burnout - Sarah Stelmach-Brown

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:00 - Challenges of Parenting a Child with ASD
00:01:22 - The Lifelong Impact of Autism
00:02:26 - Sarah's Caregiving Journey
00:03:44 - From Burnout to Caregiver Chronicles
00:15:29 - Accessing Healthcare for Children with Special Needs
00:16:20 - Hospital Choices and Insurance Coverage
00:18:45 - Fragmented Healthcare System
00:23:42 - Being Your Own Advocate
00:27:08 - Advice for Newly Diagnosed Parents
00:30:17 - Navigating the Healthcare System as a Family Caregiver
00:31:15 - Caregiver Isolation and Gratitude
00:32:14 - Overcoming Isolation and Self-Care Tips
00:32:56 - Acknowledging the Importance of Caregiver Support
00:33:22 - Preview of Next Episode
Resources:
Caregiver Chronicles
Autism Out and About

Caregiver Chronicles - Connect and Resources

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Are you tired of feeling rushed through your doctor's appointments? Frustrated by the lack of personalized care in today's healthcare system? You're not alone. As we approach the open enrollment period for healthcare insurance, many of us are questioning whether there's a better way to receive primary care that truly meets our needs.

In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with Dr. Scott Clemens, a physician who's taken a bold step to revolutionize the primary care experience. Dr. Clemens shares his journey from working in a large corporate medical group to opening his own practice focused on patient-centered care. We explore:

The Changing Face of Primary Care

• Why traditional healthcare models often fall short
• The rise of alternative options like direct primary care and concierge medicine
• How these new models prioritize patient satisfaction and health outcomes

Benefits of Personalized Primary Care

• Extended appointment times for in-depth discussions
• Improved accessibility with same-day or next-day appointments
• A calm, comfortable environment that respects your time

Building a Strong Patient-Provider Partnership

• The importance of seeing the same provider consistently
• Tips for advocating for yourself in medical settings
• How a trusting relationship leads to better health outcomes

Whether you're struggling with high insurance premiums or simply seeking a more attentive healthcare experience, this episode offers valuable insights into your options. Dr. Clemens' passion for preventative care and patient empowerment shines through as he explains his approach to weight loss, chronic condition management, and overall wellness.

Don't miss this chance to learn about a healthcare model that puts you first. It's time to discover if there's a better way to receive the care you deserve.
Resources:
Elite Internal Medicine
Find a Direct Primary Care Provider In Your State

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Have you ever felt overwhelmed or anxious during a trip to the emergency room? You're not alone. Navigating the fast-paced world of emergency care can be challenging, but with the right knowledge, you can become your own best advocate.

In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with Jennifer Johnson, an experienced ER nurse from Canada, who shares invaluable insights from her 16-year career on the front lines of emergency medicine. Jennifer opens up about her journey, including the challenges she faced with workplace bullying and how she overcame them to become a passionate advocate for both patients and nurses.

Insider Tips for Your Next ER Visit

• Be prepared: Bring a list of your current medications, medical history, and upcoming specialist appointments
• Ask questions: Take advantage of your time with the nursing staff to gather important information
• Practice patience: Understanding the triage process can help manage expectations during wait times

The Power of Nursing Intuition

Discover how Jennifer's upcoming book, "Nursing Intuition: How to Trust Your Gut, Save Your Sanity, and Survive Your Career," explores the science behind healthcare professionals' gut feelings and how this knowledge can lead to better patient outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of effective communication between patients and healthcare providers
• How to recognize and respond to your own intuition about your health
• Strategies for working collaboratively with your care team for the best possible outcomes

Whether you or a loved one have frequent visits in the ER or you simply want to be prepared for unexpected health emergencies, this episode offers valuable insights to help you navigate the complex world of emergency care with confidence and clarity.

Are you ready to become a savvy patient and make the most of your healthcare experiences?
Tune in to learn how to partner effectively with your care team and advocate for your health like never before.
Resources:
www.nursejenn.ca

Get the Book

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The providers that care for you are working to do their best but an office visit or hospital stay may make you think otherwise.

The office visit is short, questions unanswered or there is lack of follow up on a medication refill. Or You may be frustrated with a hospital stay where you experienced hours of delays and multiple requests for care, medication or even an update from a provider.

This would leave anyone feeling frustrated and wanting to say some choice words to the staff, but the truth is we have good providers working in a broken healthcare system.

This is why knowledge navigating the healthcare system is so important and being an advocate to speak up for what may be going wrong and making sure you and your loved ones are getting the care needed.

Knowledge is your superpower but even more you need to be an advocate and fight for the rights and best care for your loved one. How do you do this?

To get into this topic today, I am excited to have Melissa Mullamphy on the show today.

Melissa holds a masters degree in counseling psychology, and she is a health care expert, advocate, and critically-acclaimed author. After earning a degree in counseling psychology, she worked in a psychiatric emergency room and headed up various non-profit events and organizations before turning to the corporate world and working as Domestic Operations Manager for one of Warren Buffet’s companies, General Re for nearly two decades.

She put it all on hold to help her mother during her cancer diagnosis and treatment, she saw first-hand the failures of a broken medical system—a system full of good people working in a critically deficient framework—and has since turned her advocacy to authorship, penning hundreds of critically-lauded articles and posts arguing for ways to improve health care systems and patient care.

She is also the author of Not in Vain, A Promise Kept

Today we will discuss:

1) Melissa shares her story of the loss of her Mother and Dad and what she uncovered about our broken medical system.
2) Being an advocate for her family in their time of need.
3) 5 Ways to be proactive in making healthcare decisions?
Resources:
All About Melissa Mullamphy
Not in Vain, A Promise Kept

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