The current healthcare system in the United States is limping along on a broken leg. Dedicated and talented providers are mired in matrix of insurance company hoops, low level payments and health care organization bureaucracy. Great doctors, nurses, physical therapists and other providers have their hands ties by the rules set by insurance companies with thousands of plans and thousands of different requirements that they must navigate to provide care. And you are paying for it. Insurance premiums in the USA are the fourth highest in the world. Whether you buy your own health insurance or it is provided by your employer you are the paying customer. Americans also pay more for their prescription drugs than any other country in the world, in some cases three to four times more. GPs suffer the most and have no other choice but to book their appointment days in 15 minute increments or some have ditched the insurance model all together and went to concierge by having their patients pay a yearly fee for access. GP appointments are in some cases so overbooked you may wait six to eight months to see your doctor. Specialists wait times are also very long. The COVID pandemic reduced the healthcare workforce and many young people are moving away from healthcare as a career choice.
Adding into the confusion is the 21st Century Cures Act which requires that providers release medical tests through online portals to patients as soon as the test has been completed and results have been generated by laboratories, radiologists and other testing entities. With the limited time doctors have to see patients, the lag time from when you receive your test results and when your doctor looks at them or contacts you can be days or up to a week, especially if your results are released to you on a Friday afternoon or a weekend.
All of these problems has given many Americans “Healthcare Anxiety'” turning to search engines and social media discussion groups to try and find answers and relief.
Beside the Patient is a Patient led conversation about navigating the current health care system and advocating for yourself, loved ones and friends during a healthcare experience.
Beside the Patient is a Patient led conversation about navigating the healthcare system and about advocating for yourself, loved ones and friends during a healthcare experience.
Beside the Patient 