WHO IS YOUR BEST HEALTH CARE ADVOCATE

Steps to being your own health care advocate Published December 03, 2015.   

The rules and regulations in health care can often overwhelm even the most seasoned medical professional. One man has decided that a team approach may be the best way to get healthy and protect personal interests. "Americans do a great job of planning for vacations, for retirement, for saving money for a kids education. But it's a rare person I've met who plans for a serious diagnosis," said Leslie Michelson, author of "The Patient's Playbook. According to a Healthgrades survey, one out of every six patients in the U.S. receives care at a less-than-stellar hospital. Not getting the best care possible could not only increase your risk of medical errors, it could also increase your risk of death. "Before we get sick, everyone has a notion that there's a health care system out there that's suddenly going to spring into action to support them," Michelson said. "Unfortunately, that's not the case. Michaelson wrote his book after getting treatment for a rare disease himself, and today he has made it his mission to help others get the best care possible- no matter how much money they have. The first step is finding a primary care provider who fits your needs. Michelson recommends finding a physician you're comfortable speaking with and who is comfortable speaking with you. "That person should be your health care quarterback," he said.