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June is Men's Health Awareness Month
Taking Charge of Your Healthcare as a Young Man
So, you are growing up and gaining the new responsibilities that come with getting older. Now, if you are feeling a bit overwhelmed, take a deep breath. That can be normal. Learning how to advocate for yourself without the help of your parents/caregivers can be an intimidating responsibility, but remember with the right tools, you can succeed!
Here are some questions you may be asking yourself when establishing with a healthcare provider:
How do I schedule an appointment with my healthcare provider?
If you are an established patient, meaning you have seen the health care provider (HCP) before, then you can call the office and request an appointment. The staff will ask what dates and times work best for you. Then they will see if the provider has any appointments that match with your schedule. Once you have confirmed your appointment, it’s a good idea to put it in your calendar and set a reminder in your phone, so you remember. Some offices allow you to set-up appointments online or through a health care portal.
What is a copay?
A copay is a fixed fee that you pay each time you go to see a healthcare provider, pick up prescriptions, or go to the emergency room. The amount you pay is different depending on the health insurance plan and type of visits. For example, if you go to see your healthcare provider because you have a sore throat, your copay might be twenty dollars verses when you go see your healthcare provider for an annual physical your copay may be zero dollars. The amount and frequency of copays have to do with your individual health insurance plan.
Does my parent/guardian have to accompany me to my appointments?
If you are a minor, meaning you are under the age of 18 years old, your parent/guardian may need to accompany you to the visit. When you call to schedule your appointment, tell the staff how old you are and ask (based on your age) if a parent/guardian needs to be present for the visit.
How do I get help on the weekends or at night?
Most clinics will have a provider on-call who covers nights and weekends when the office is closed. This way patients can contact the provider on-call if they are not feeling well or have a non-life threatening emergency. It is usually a good idea to call the provider on-call first, before going to an urgent care center or emergency room, unless it’s a life-threatening emergency (i.e. such as if you can’t breathe or have severe pain), then call 9-1-1.
Looking for information on how to find a primary health care provider (PCP) is a smart decision, because routine check-ups are a very important part of taking care of yourself.
To access the full article on taking charge of your healthcare, click here.