Make sure you have a solid before and after plan when planning for an elective–scheduled surgery. The who, what, when and where all need to be carefully planned.  Who will help with the immediate additional post surgery care?  What are the requirements (bed downstairs; medications etc.) ? When and How long will the additional care…

  I am a knowledgeable healthcare consumer. My life and career have been intertwined with the Healthcare System since the 1990s. From working in voluntary health organizations like the American Diabetes Association to becoming an advertising executive and consultant for the pharmaceutical industry, (to the three pharmacists in my family!), I’ve gained a variety of…

  Most likely, to maintain a record to track your finances, you access online banking apps which track your spending and banking history. But if you’re like most people, you probably don’t keep digital records of your personal health information or that of your loved ones. If you don’t, it’s a good time to start!…

Communication with our healthcare providers in-between visits is a powerful aspect of healthcare. This in-between visit communication and information sharing can help us make informed healthcare decisions and build our health literacy. Meaning we can find, understand and use information that helps us make informed health-related decisions for ourselves and our loved ones.  We need…

When do you need a health advocate, and what does a health advocate do?  These are essential questions that each of us may confront as we navigate our healthcare. Believe it or not, over 27% of US adults avoided medical treatment in 2019 due to confusion regarding insurance coverage and the healthcare system. In addition,…

These days, if you visit a physician’s office, go to the emergency room, or see your dentist, you may receive some paperwork regarding an “EMR.”  Like most people, you’re probably unfamiliar with the acronym and wonder, “What is an EMR?” An EMR is an essential part of your modern healthcare record. And understanding an EMR’s…