(BPT) - Do you fully understand what your doctor tells you during a checkup? If you don’t, you’re not alone.
A recent UnitedHealthcare study found that two out of three people don't understand all their doctor's instructions, diagnoses and recommendations. If that’s the case for you, it may not just affect your health — it could also impact your bank account. The Center for Health Policy Research at George Washington University found “inadequate health literacy” — not quite getting health-related information or what your doctor is telling you — can cost up to $238 billion annually in higher health care costs.
“Empowering yourself with knowledge about your health is key to maintaining or improving your well-being — and managing your health care costs,” said Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer of UnitedHealthcare’s commercial business. “Better understanding your conditions and treatments can help you make more informed decisions, which can support your physical, mental and financial health.”
Dr. Randall offers these tips to help bridge the knowledge gap and help you save money on health care.
It all boils down to gaining a greater awareness of your options and understanding your own health. Using that knowledge may help improve health outcomes and enable you to save on health care costs, creating a true win-win!