Putting Patients First ® will have a variety of detailed, practical messages to help people take action. This provides an OVERVIEW of general message concepts.

Messages about the health care delivery system overall:

1. Know the system so you can make it work for you. The health care system is changing dramatically and constantly. To get the most out of it, you need to understand what you can do.

2. You can influence the "system." You don't have to accept everything the way it is handed to you. You can influence your treatment, your coverage, and your plan by informing yourself and taking action.

Messages about relationships with providers:

3. When meeting with a provider, ask questions until you fully understand.
What exactly is my diagnosis? Why this treatment? What are treatment options? What are the possible side effects of treatments? What are the cost/coverage implications?

4. Exercise your choice of providers. If you are not completely comfortable with a provider, find another one.

5. Do your part. Follow mutually developed treatment plans, keep your provider informed, and live a healthy lifestyle.

Messages about relationships with your health care plan (those who make decisions about selecting the plan and those who manage the plan).

6. Know the ground rules of your plan. Learn about coverage parameters, payment decisions, and incentives and restrictions on providers, so you can use your plan fully.

7. Identify which individuals make the decisions about selecting, monitoring and maintaining your health plan. Provide timely, constructive feedback on your experiences with the plan to those individuals.

JOIN US! WANT TO KNOW MORE? To find out more about
Putting Patients First®, or how your organization can be a part of it,
email us at info@nationalhealthcouncil.org