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Four Steps to Getting the Most from Your Doctor’s Visit

A regular checkup with your doctor may lead to some new questions. Your doctor might need more information to diagnose a problem or treat your health. Or, you may need to see a spe-cialist or get a test. These things may take a little more time and energy, but your health is worth it.

Before the appointment, make sure you are familiar with your health benefits planhealth benefits plan
A plan purchased by an individual or provided through an employer that provides payment for health c... more. You can find information on your health insurance company’s website. You can also ask the HR repre-sentative in your office. Health insurance can be confusing. If you still have questions, don’t panic. Click here to order a free copy of Navigating Your Health Benefits for Dummies.

Tests, screenings and prescriptions

Your doctor might send you for a test, such as a cholesterol screening or a mammogram. Tests can help catch minor problems before they get worse. They can also spot serious problems that need to be treated. Or, your doctor may say you need a prescription drug. The right drug can cure or treat a condition you have or keep you from getting new ones.

If your doctor asks that you take a test or get new medicine, be sure to ask why. It is important that you have all of this information. It will keep you informed about your health. Before you go for a test or pick up your medicine, make sure your health insurance "covers" these things. This means that your health benefits planhealth benefits plan
A plan purchased by an individual or provided through an employer that provides payment for health c... more will pay for all or part of the test or drug. Here's how to find out:

• Ask your doctor
  Sometimes, a doctor's staff will know what your health insurance covers. This is not always the case though. If not, ask for all the information about the test or drug. Write everything down. Or ask the staff to write it for you.
• Check with your health benefits manager or health insurance company
  Tell them about the test or drug your doctor recommends. Use the information your doctor gave you. Customer service might be able to tell you if it is covered by your plan.
• Ask your pharmacist
  Bring your prescription to your pharmacist. The pharmacist will tell you if your health insurance pays for the drug. Sometimes your insurance will not cover the cost of the drug. Or, it might only cover a small portion. Then, you will have to make a co-paymentco-payment
  A set dollar amount or portion that you pay for your medical services. Usually, co-pays start after ... more. This is the part you have to pay. If that is the case, ask the pharmacist if there is another option. If there is, he or she might be able to contact your doctor and change the prescription.

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Visiting a specialist

Your doctor may send you to see a specialistspecialist
A physician who provides medical care in a medical or surgical specialty or subspecialty (for exampl... more. This doctor focuses on one area of medicine. For instance, cardiologists treat heart trouble. Before making an appointment, find out if the spe-cialist takes your insurance. Here's how:

• Look online
  Check your health insurance company's website. You can look up the specialistspecialist
  A physician who provides medical care in a medical or surgical specialty or subspecialty (for exampl... more and see if the specialistspecialist
  A physician who provides medical care in a medical or surgical specialty or subspecialty (for exampl... more is in your health planhealth plan
  A health plan that you buy or that is provided by your employer. It pays for health care services. I... more’s networknetwork
  Also called "provider network." A panel of physicians, hospitals and other health care professionals... more.
• Check with your health benefits manager or health insurance company
  Ask if the specialistspecialist
  A physician who provides medical care in a medical or surgical specialty or subspecialty (for exampl... more takes your insurance. If the answer is no, you may be able to get a list of doctors in your area who accept your insurance. Also ask if you need a referralreferral
  In some health plans, you must receive a referral from your primary care doctor to see a specialist ... more. This is a process your doctor handles before you visit a specialistspecialist
  A physician who provides medical care in a medical or surgical specialty or subspecialty (for exampl... more. If you need a referralreferral
  In some health plans, you must receive a referral from your primary care doctor to see a specialist ... more and don’t get one, you may have to pay for the visit to the specialistspecialist
  A physician who provides medical care in a medical or surgical specialty or subspecialty (for exampl... more.
• Call the specialistspecialist
  A physician who provides medical care in a medical or surgical specialty or subspecialty (for exampl... more's office
  Tell them what insurance you have. They can tell you if the doctor accepts it.

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What if I am not covered?

If your insurance doesn’t cover a test or specialistspecialist
A physician who provides medical care in a medical or surgical specialty or subspecialty (for exampl... more, there are steps you can take to save money and still get the care you need:

• Do some research
  If you need a specialistspecialist
  A physician who provides medical care in a medical or surgical specialty or subspecialty (for exampl... more who takes your insurance, call your insurance company or visit their website. They will list doctors in your area who accept your insurance. If a test or drug your doctor suggests isn’t covered, tell your doctor. There might be other options that are just as helpful and that your insurance will pay for.
• Use a Flexible Spending Account
  Some health insurance plans offer Flexible Spending AccountsFlexible Spending Accounts
  A FSA is an account tied to an employer-sponsored health plan. It can be used to pay for medical exp... more (FSAs). With FSAs, a set amount of money is taken from your paycheck before taxes. (You decide how much). You can use this money to pay for certain medical expenses not covered by your insurance.
• Find out about reimbursementreimbursement
  Payment from a health benefits plan to reimburse an individual's covered medical expenses or directl... more
  Some expenses or specialists may not be covered by your plan. If you have to pay for the expense yourself, you may be able to submit a claimclaim
  Information submitted to a health plan to request payment for medical services provided to a person ... more to your insurance company. The company could decide to pay you back (reimburse) some of the costs. Call the customer service department at your health insurance company to learn more.

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