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Save By Keeping Medical Andbilling Errors In Check

Medical Care

* Check credentials of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers. Get a complete list of how to get quality care fromahrq.gov.

* Protect yourself from medical errors. Be your own watchdog. Take an active role in every decision about your health care. If needed, have a family member or friend oversee your care.

* Get all of your medications from the same pharmacy to avoid harmful interactions. Make sure each doctor who prescribes medicine for you knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to medicines and to foods, such as shrimp.

* To avoid getting a serious infection while you are in the hospital, ask all persons who give you care to wash or sanitize their hands.

* Keep lists of hospital and medical services. Ask for itemized bills. Compare your lists to the bills to make sure you were only charged for services that you received. Notify the billing department and your health plan of mistakes.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Save By Being A Wise Health Care Consumer

Medical Care

* Before you receive services, know what your plan covers. Find out from your insurance plan’s website handbook, or customer service representative.

* Find out if the cost for 9-1-1 EMS transport is covered or if you need to use a certain ambulance company.

* Choose providers who accept your insurance. Find out if prior approval or a referral is needed for services to be covered.

* Consider a Consumer Driven Health Plan. You pay a higher deductible and pay for health care costs from a tax-exempt health account. With a high-deductible health plan, you can set aside pre-tax money in a health savings account (HSA). Use this to pay for your deductible and medical costs. Money you don’t spend adds up from year to year, to use for future medical expenses.

* Learn if acupuncture and massage therapy fees are covered.

* Get recommended tests, exams, and vaccines.

* Make sure you use covered services, such as dental cleanings, tests and exams, virtual visits, and the Nurse Advice Line.

* Find out about tax breaks for medical expenses fromirs.gov.

* Stay informed of changes in health care offerings on national and state levels.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Save By Being A Wise Consumer

Medical Care

What price, health care?

It is more common to know the price of a car than the price of health care services. It is also more common to take more time looking for a car than a doctor. To be prepared to take care of your health and health care costs, plan ahead:

* Don’t wait until you get sick to find a doctor. Having a doctor can save the expense of having to go to an urgent care center or emergency room.

* Know what costs your health plan covers and what you need to pay.

* Post a list of places your health plan approves for treatment. When you need care, use them instead of out-of-plan ones, which could cost you extra money.

* If you have a yearly deductible, budget for this with the rest of your bills.

Check credentials.

You can’t afford to trust your health to just anyone. Find out about doctors from:

* American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) at 866.ASK.ABMS (275.2267) orwww.abms.org.

* DocFinder atwww.docboard.org/docfinder.html.

* The Federation of State Medical Boards at 888.ASK.FCVS (275.3287) orwww.fsmb.org.

* Health Grades atwww.healthgrades.com.

Look for quality.

Check out the track records of health plans, hospitals, and doctors. Contact the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality atwww.ahrq.gov.

Protect yourself from medical errors.

These could cost extra money and can even cost you your life. Be your own watch dog. Take an active role in every decision about your health care. If needed, have a family member or friend oversee your care.

Know about tax breaks.

Medical and dental expenses are tax deductible if they exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. If you are self-employed, you may be allowed to deduct 45% of the cost of your health insurance premium. Find out fromwww.irs.gov.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Safety Matters For You & The Environment

Home Safety

* Follow safety advisories for foods that are contaminated with harmful substances, such as methylmercury in fish and harmful bacteria in produce, etc. You can find out about these fromepa.gov.

* Use seatbelts and safety-approved car seats when riding in vehicles.

* Keep poisons and other harmful items locked and out of reach of children.

* Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home and garage.

* Don’t run cars and lawn mowers in the garage. Don’t use gas ranges for heat.

* See that Halloween costumes do not obstruct vision. Use non-toxic makeup instead of masks. Do not leave lighted candles exposed. In the dark, wear light-colored clothing or reflective tape on clothing to be visible.

* Get more safety tips from the National Safety Council atnsc.org.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
A Safer Way To Shovel Snow

Personal Safety

Many people know that shoveling snow can put many at risk for back injury or a heart attack, but think, “It won’t happen to me” and shovel anyway.

Shoveling snow strains the back, because you bend at the waist to lift a load. And shoveling can trigger a heart attack in three ways. The increase in activity requires your heart to work harder. Also, without realizing it, you may hold your breath as you lift, which can trigger a sudden rise in heart rate and blood pressure. And cold weather causes blood vessels to constrict, so the heart has to pump more blood.

If you have a history of back problems or heart problems, don’t shovel snow, period. Have someone else do it. If you’re over age 40 and overweight, if you have high blood pressure, if you smoke, or if you lead a sedentary life, check with your doctor before lifting a shovel.

The following hints can help make a tough job easier, even if you’re not at special risk for back or heart problems.

* Dress properly. Protect your head and hands from the cold, and don’t bundle up so much that you overheat or can’t move freely.

* To prevent back strain, keep your knees slightly bent and both feet planted firmly on the ground or pavement.

* Consider removing snow with a snowblower or plow instead of a shovel-it’s far less stressful and gets the job done quickly.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Cam Safe Use

Alternative Medicine

How can you tell if a complementary product or service is one you should use? Follow these tips:

* Use credible sources for information:

– The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) athttps://nccih.nih.gov. At this Web site, search for, “How Safe Is This Product or Practice?”

– PDR for Herbal Medicines. Look for this book at your local library or bookstore.

– The Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dietary supplements do not need approval before they are sold. Get more information on dietary supplement safety atwww.fda.gov/food/dietarysupplements.

– Your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist. Find out if an herbal product, mega dose of a vitamin, etc. could be harmful with other medicines you take or conditions you have. Ask for a referral or list of practitioners who are trained and certified in the product or practice you want to explore.

– Local and state medical boards, other health regulatory agencies or boards, and consumer affairs departments. Seek information on a provider’s credentials and about reported problems with products and services.

* Avoid products and services that claim to have “secret formulas” or “miraculous breakthroughs.” Just because a product is labeled “natural,” doesn’t mean it’s safe.

* Females who are planning to get pregnant, are pregnant, or who breast-feed should take vitamin supplements as advised. They should not use herbal products unless directed by a doctor. For a list of safe and unsafe herbs during pregnancy, search for, “Herbs and Pregnancy” atwww.americanpregnancy.org.

* Give nutritional supplements to children as advised by their doctors.

* Follow the directions on the product label. Report unwanted side effects to your doctor or health care provider.

Consider costs, too. Health plans may not pay for complementary methods. Find out if a chiropractor (or other provider) accepts your health insurance. Ask, too, if you need a referral from your doctor for any or all of the costs to be covered.

Herbs

Herbs and other nutritional supplements can act in the same way as drugs. Check with your doctor before you take them.

Health problems using herbs can result from:

* The contents of a product. Some have harmful metals, organisms, etc.

* Taking too much.

* Interactions with medications.

* Effects on existing medical conditions.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Safe Use Of Medications

Medication

* Things to tell your doctor:

– Things you have had an allergic reaction to.

– If you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

– If another doctor is also treating you.

– If you have diabetes or kidney or liver disease.

– If you use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.

* See that your doctor has an up-to-date list of all the medicines you take. This includes prescribed and over-the-counter (OTC) ones, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Keep an up-to-date list in your wallet.

* Ask your doctor these questions: What is the medicine for? When should I take it? How long do I need to take it? Should I take it with or without food? Can I crush the pill or open up the capsule if I can’t swallow it whole? Write the answers down.

* Give a list of all medicines and supplements you take to your local and mail order pharmacist. Harmful mixtures with other drugs and with foods can be identified.

* Get prescribed medicines from a licensed pharmacy.

* Keep medicines in their original containers or in ones with sections for daily doses.

* Let your doctor know about your past reactions to certain medicines. As some people age, they may be more sensitive to some medications, such as painkillers or sedatives.

* Ask about the possible side effects of a medication. Find out what you should do if you have any.

* Ask if you can drink alcohol while taking the medication(s). Alcohol can lessen the effects of some medicines. Other medicines, such as sedatives, can be deadly when used with alcohol.

* Don’t take someone else’s medication.

* Safely discard unused and expired medicines. Use a community drug take-back program. Or, take medicines from their containers and mix them with used coffee grounds or kitty litter. Put this in a sealable bag and place it in the trash.

* Try to reduce the need for some medications, such as sleeping pills or laxatives. A warm bath and a glass of milk might help you fall asleep. Having more fiber in your diet can reduce or replace the need for a laxative. Check with your doctor on ways other than medicines to help treat your problem.

* Even if you feel better, don’t stop taking a prescribed medicine unless your doctor tells you to. Also, don’t skip doses.

Resources

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

www.fda.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
A Routine Checkup

Medical Exams

A routine checkup from a doctor or health care provider is a way to find out your health status. It allows you to ask questions, too. It also helps you find out if you have a health problem you don’t know about. Some diseases, such as high blood pressure and some cancers, may not have symptoms in the early stages. Tests and exams can help detect these.

The Basic Parts of a Checkup

* A complete medical history. This includes family health history, past illnesses, and current problems.

* A check on how well your eyes, ears, heart, bowels, etc. function.

* A check of your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, etc.

* A medical exam.

* Possible routine tests for your conditions, gender, or age, such as blood tests or X-rays.

* A check of specific health concerns.

* Vaccinations, as needed.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Review Your Patient Chart

Medical Care

Guess what every patient in a hospital has? No, we’re not speaking of those less-than-attractive hospital gowns or the plastic ID bracelets. The answer is a patient chart. Although the chart is legally the property of the hospital and generally kept at a nursing station, the patient should be aware of its content. Ask your doctor for an explanation. The chart may contain the following:

* Your medical history.

* Hospital laboratory results.

* Lists of medications (doses and schedules).

* Special treatments or therapy.

* Dietary restrictions or recommendations (low-sodium diet, for example).

* Scheduled diagnostic procedures (such as X-rays).

* Surgical notes (length of operation, assisting medical staff, type of anesthesia administered, recovery notes).

If you suspect a problem or error-in how often you are being given medication, for instance-ask a nurse or your doctor to show you your chart and explain what is written there.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Resolve To Get Ready For Retirement

Financial Health

It’s never too early or too late.

Whether you are in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or even your 60s, plan for your retirement. Research shows that people who think about and plan for retirement save more than those who don’t.

Add up all sources of monthly income.

* Social Security. Find out how much you will get, monthly, from the Social Security. This depends on your work history and if you choose to start getting benefits at age 62 or your full retirement age (65, 66, or 67) or wait until age 70. A yearly statement mailed to you gives this information. Or, find out from Social Security benefit calculators atwww.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/index.htmandwww.socialsecurity.gov/planners/index.htm#a0=1. Do the same for a partner who will also receive Social Security benefits. In general, the amount you receive for Social Security retirement accounts for about 40 percent of your pre-retirement earnings. $____

* Private pensions from all employers $____

* Personal savings. This includes money you have in the bank and earnings on 401(k)s, 403(b)s, traditional and Roth IRAs, and other investments: $____

* Cash value life insurance. These are whole life or variable life policies. $____

* Part-time income you and/or your partner expect to make. $____

Total monthly sources of income: $____

You do the math:

Total monthly income needed: $______

Subtract total monthly sources of income: – $______

How much you’ll need to make up for each retirement month: = $______

Plan, now, ways to earn and/or save more for retirement.

Figure out how much you’ll need.

According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute, 56 percent of workers have no idea how much they need to save for retirement. On average, people need at least 70 percent of their yearly pre-retirement income. This can vary, depending on your age and needs. You will need more if you need to pay for your medical care. To estimate how much you might need, use a tool atwww.choosetosave.org/ballpark. Other calculators to help you plan can be found atwww.choosetosave.org/calculators. Include estimates for health care and other costs, such as a new car and home repairs. {Note: It will be easier to get a car loan if you buy the car while you are still employed.}

Total monthly income needed: $____

Action Step

Make an appointment with a financial planner at work or on your own to discuss retirement saving options that best meet your needs.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026