By George M. Johnson
September 7, 2016
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Because I work in the health care profession, I assumed that I knew
everything about care providers, navigating the system and access to
health care. I couldn't have been more wrong. Here are nine tips to
ensure a smooth transition that doesn't risk gaps in your treatment or
care.
Prepare to Plan and Plan on Being Prepared
Take the time to consider these tips and take action rather than
diving into the next setting. Being unprepared when changing physicians
can create unnecessary stress in a process that should and can be a
smooth transition.
Closing Out With Your Original Service Provider
You should never leave your prior service provider without having a
conversation with them. If you are changing for insurance reasons, it is
a relatively easy conversation. Make sure there aren't any major
concerns you should be telling your new doctor, and close out your
business. If you have outstanding bills, make sure they are paid so no
records are withheld from your new provider. If you utilized multiple
services with that provider (mental health, dental, etc.), make sure you
close out with all parties involved in your care. They might be able to
make a referral for you, as well.
Setting up Your First Appointments
No two providers are the same. When you switch care providers, it is
important that you ask when you can see your doctor and if there is
anything that you need to do prior to that appointment. For example, at
my prior doctor, I did labs one day and then had an appointment weeks
later. At my new doctor, they schedule labs with a follow-up during the
same week, plus you can log in to view your records prior to the
appointment.
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| Credit: Medioimages/Photodisc for DigitalVision via Thinkstock. |
Obtaining Prior Medical Records
When switching to a new care provider, it is important to provide
them with your complete medical care history prior to your first visit.
This process is actually very simple, but it can become a headache if
you are not fully prepared. You will need to fill out a medical release
form and a HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
health information release form for the records to be sent to your new
care provider. The new doctor will want to see your records to help him
or her determine what you will need at your first appointment (e.g., TB and hepatitis A and B vaccines, and flu and pneumonia shots).
Staying Adherent on Your Medication
I cannot express enough how important it is to stay adherent during
your transition to a new provider. If you can, make sure you have enough
medication to cover you until you see your new provider to get your new
labs and prescription. I personally ran into a problem during my
provider transition. With only a weeks' worth of medication left, I
missed two days because of a gap before my first appointment.
New Pharmacy Practices
Check to see whether you can use the same pharmacy or your new
provider has an in-house pharmacy. Kaiser and AIDS Healthcare Foundation
have their own pharmacies in the same building where you have your
appointment, so they are one-stop shops for all your needs. They also
have prescription programs allowing you to have your medication mailed
to you -- and even to get a 90-day supply so you don't run out prior to
your next appointment.
Asking About Additional Services
I didn't realize how important it is to go through the complete list
of services offered by care providers. I was quite robotic in my
approach at my first care provider: I went in, did my labs, followed up
with the doctor a few weeks later and went on with my business. My new
provider was definitely not the same. Online features allow me to pay my
bill, send my doctor secure questions, reorder my prescription and view
all my medical records. My new care facility also has dental options,
pay assistance programs, mental health counselors and other services
that I can use for care in addition to HIV. Don't make the assumption I
did that most care providers offer the same things.
Billing, Co-Pays and Financial Options
Cost was the biggest shock I had once I switched care providers, and
it was simply because I had not done my research. At my original
provider, I paid nothing for my labs and three dollars a month for my
prescription, as Ryan White services picked up most of my
"out-of-pocket" expenses. I now have a thirty-dollar copay and pay sixty
dollars for my labs and fifty dollars for a 90-day supply of meds. I
never checked with my new provider to see whether they accepted Ryan
White funding and if I could move my coverage to them. I also wasn't
aware that my new provider had co-pay assistance similar to Ryan White's
that could significantly reduce those expenses. Most service providers
have these types of assistance plans in place, and you should not feel
ashamed to use them.
Be Transparent
The final step is the most important, which is why I saved it for last. Be transparent
with your new care provider. They are not asking you questions to judge
or shame you. They need details about your sexual and medical history
so they can ensure that you are receiving all the services you need.
Omitting certain aspects of your sexual and medical history can lead to
major problems. The first step in building trust with your provider is
allowing them the benefit of doubt during your first appointment. Even
for me, it is hard retelling my entire history, but I know that if the
relationship is going to work, it requires me being as open and honest
as possible.
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George M. Johnson is a writer based in the Washington, D.C., area.
He has written for Huffpost, Ebony.com, Pride.com and
Diverseeducation.com, and has a monthly column in A&U magazine. He is a loyal member of the Beyhive and you can follow him on Twitter @iamgmjohnson.
Copyright © 2016 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
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