While we put a lot of faith in our medical institutions, it is still important that we manage our lives and our own health. By keeping on top of your insurance, living a smart lifestyle, and keeping track of your own medical records, you can ensure that you are maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Here at Ask Dr. Goldberg, we love to see people manage their well-being, so we have some tips for how you can be an advocate for your own health.
Avoid Issues By Living a Healthy Lifestyle
Before you begin to worry about paperwork and medical records, you need to realize that you can avoid many different health issues by living a healthy lifestyle and making smart decisions. Ideally, you should be fitting in 20 minutes of exercise every morning so you can get the blood flowing, cut calories, and get your mind right for the day. If you don’t even have 20 minutes, then you can make little changes during the day, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or walking to work.
You should also be smart about your diet. Instead of going to fast food restaurants and having meals that are rich in trans fats, have a salad or cook a meal at home with smaller portions. If you get hungry throughout the day, then get healthy snacks like almonds or yogurt.
Organize, Merge, and Upload Your Medical Records
Whenever possible, ask your doctors for copies of your medical information. Keeping this data at home is smart because, in addition to knowing that it is securely in your possession, you will also be able to refer to it whenever you are sensing that an old condition is making a return.
Anyone who manages paper documents knows how easy it is for this information to get lost, but you can keep everything in one spot by merging all of your paperwork and x-rays into one file and uploading it to the cloud. You can learn how to merge videos online and it is easier than you may realize. All you have to do is select all of the files on your computer and then press the button to merge them into a video so they are all connected. Then, simply download the file and store it in a safe place on your computer.
Review Your Bills for Errors
You’ve likely heard of hospitals and medical professionals charging extra for services or requiring payment for services that weren’t done at all. It is bound to happen when there are so many patients checking in and out every day. Don’t feel guilty. Take the time to look closely at your medical bills to find potential errors.
It is important to make sure that you are being frugal with your money so you can use those funds to pay for your gym membership. While you are checking things out, also look at your credit report. Sometimes, there can be fraudulent entries, and if you don’t get them cleaned up, then they could make your credit score drop drastically.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
Many people are intimidated by doctors and they are afraid to get answers because they are always afraid that it is bad news. The fact is that you need to ask questions when you are at the doctor’s if you really want to get a handle on your health. When the doctor asks if you need anything else, make your voice heard and follow up on the phone later on if you need further clarification. After all, it is your life, so you deserve to know the details.
As you can see, it is important to be an advocate for your health and there are many ways to do so. Live a healthy lifestyle, review your bills, and merge your important medical documents, and you will be in good shape. If you have a medical question to Ask Dr. Goldberg, then contact us at 412-367-3778.