Page 48 - LIVESTRONG Digital Guidebook

Find out what you should do in case of
the following:
If you cannot reach your health care provider
There may be times when you have questions
or need to speak with a health care professional
between appointments. Ask how you can leave
a message for your provider if your needs are
not urgent. This may be possible through a
phone call, email or a messaging system. Some-
times a nurse will contact you first to find out
what you need.
Find out how emergency calls are handled
if your provider is not available. In most cases,
you will be told to contact a hospital emergency
room or call 911 if you have urgent concerns.
If you are waiting for test results
Find out how you are to get diagnostic test
results. Some providers will call you or have
a nurse contact you. Others ask you to call
them or a messaging service for test results. Be
certain you understand what your health care
provider wants you to do. This will help you
avoid delays and missed information.
If you have questions or concerns about
test results, contact your provider’s office.
Because so many tests are done every day in a
health care facility, mistakes can happen. On
rare occasions, test results may be misplaced
or even given to the wrong patient. Always feel
free to ask questions to get more information.
If you have questions about
medications or side effects
Ask your health care provider what to do if
you have side effects caused by medications
or treatments. Learn about the medications
you take. Find out why you are taking each of
them. Discuss how to contact your provider or
get other medical help if problems develop.
Some medications can interact with oth-
ers. There is also the possibility of an allergy or
a reaction to certain medications. Give each of
“I hear over and over again from friends that their doctor won’t call them back.
They have had an MRI or some big test, and they are sitting at home waiting
for the doctor to call them back. The ones who seemed to do the best said,
‘You know, I’m really a part of this team, and I do have a voice here.’”
48 L I V E S T R O N G G U I D E B O O K
your health care providers and pharmacists a
record of your known allergies and reactions to
medications. Find out what to do if you have
a reaction.
If there is a need to share or keep
medical information confidential
The Health Insurance Portability and Account-
ability Act (HIPAA) requires that health care
providers protect the privacy of patients. The
provider must give each patient a written expla-
nation of how they meet HIPAA rules.
Each of your health care providers will
ask you to read and sign the HIPAA form
before you begin working with them. You
must list the names of the people with whom
you are allowing your health care team to share
medical information. Ask questions before
signing the form. Find out who else the provider
will share your information with such as your
insurance company.
GETTING ANOTHER MEDICAL OPINION
You have the right to ask for a second or third medi-
cal opinion (or more). Another opinion may help
you make better decisions. You also have the right to
change members of your health care team. Tell the
health care provider that you respect his or her opin-
ion. Let the provider know that, because this is such
an important decision, you would like to get another
opinion before deciding what to do.
There is no need to feel guilty about asking for
another opinion. This is an important patient right. Many
providers suggest that patients consider additional
medical opinions before making health care decisions.
Keep in mind that you may need to get approval
from your insurer before meeting with another pro-
vider. If you do not, you might have to pay some or
all of the costs.
If you do not know where to go or how to get
another opinion, ask for help. Your health care prov-
ider, a social worker or nonprofit cancer organiza-
—SUSAN C.
www.LIVESTRONG.org/WeCanHelp