You know the old saying, “Men don’t ask for directions.”
Thanks to advances in technology, like GPS, this adage no longer applies. Another adage that no longer need apply is, “Men don’t go to the doctor.” Fortunately, we live in an age where, thanks to technology, our access to information is limitless, so seeing a healthcare professional is easy as getting directions!
There’s an App for that!
Zocdoc is an App designed to help you find a doctor. It even refines your search to doctors who take your insurance!
The best part: Zocdoc helps you book an appointment online with a participating provider, as well as check in. So you can fill out that tedious paperwork in the comfort of your own home, and skip the whole tongue-depressor-taped-to-a-pen-and-germy-clipboard thing.
Zocdoc currently services 40% of the U.S. population across over 2,000 cities; check out the link below to see if there’s a participating provider in your area.
Whip out your Smart Phone
As a nurse, I see many patients hesitant to say something is going on with their bodies.
Nurses love to hear any minor fluctuations with your normal bodily functions. Whether they’re gross or not, we’ve heard them all. Trust me.
Those details make it easier for us to do our job, which is to provide care to you! Many insurance companies already have Nurse Hotlines to avoid an unnecessary Emergency Room trip (saving you money) and to offer health advice quickly.
When you call one of these hotlines, an experienced Registered Nurse will triage you over the phone, helping you make an appointment with your doctor (if you actually need it), or helping you find immediate medical attention.
Contact your insurance provider to see if they offer this service: if they do, keep the number in the contact list on your cell phone, just in case.
Prevention is the way of the future
Don’t wait until you’re on your deathbed to see your doctor. Instead, schedule an annual physical, even if you’re feeling great.
Future You will appreciate it.
Here’s an adage that STILL applies to today: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Visiting your doctor when nothing is wrong will give your doctor insight into what’s normal for you and offer information and guidance to keep you healthy.
I know what you’re thinking, “Why pay a copay when I don’t have to?”
Guess what? In most cases, YOU DON’T HAVE TO! These days, insurance companies encourage their beneficiaries to use preventative care measures (like annual physicals) at no cost. Call your insurance provider today and ask about your current plan’s benefits and coverage details regarding preventative care services.
No insurance? Visit https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/preventive-care-benefits/ for more information on preventative care services and how to get coverage.
A Grand Af-Fair
Health Fair that is! If my use of puns didn’t make you sick enough to run straight to your doctor, try heading out to your next community health fair.
June is National Men’s Health Month, and communities across the nation are participating in hosting events to raise awareness on the importance of Men’s Health. These events offer free screenings from blood pressure tests to cholesterol and blood sugar checks. Most importantly, these events offer the opportunity to meet with healthcare professionals in your community who can assist you in finding a doctor that’s in your area (and you can pick up whatever free goodies they’ll be giving out).
Thanks to social media, these events are hard to miss; but you can also find one by looking under the events section of your local newspaper or simply searching “Health fair in (your city/county)” online.
See? No more excuses! Getting in contact with a healthcare professional is easier than ever, even easier than figuring out your car’s GPS.
Now, if only getting your music out of the cloud was just as easy…
Rachel Stanton LPN
