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Tips to help improve your healthcare experience

Healthcare can be a difficult world to navigate, but it can be easier if you have a trusted partner working with you. Your primary care provider (PCP) can be the partner you need to help you get and stay healthy. Knowing you have a helping hand to help you stay on top of your health can help you worry less and focus more on enjoying your life.

male patient with doctorBuild a good relationship with your PCP

If you go to a different provider every time you need a checkup, it can be hard for any one doctor to have a total picture of your overall health. A PCP who you can go to regularly can help you stay on top of your health. When you build a relationship with a trusted care partner, you’ll benefit by having a PCP who knows your health inside and out.

When you visit with your PCP, be open and honest with them. Whether you have physical or mental health concerns, your PCP can help you set up a care plan to manage your health or refer you to a specialist who can offer you the support you may need.

Since building a relationship with your PCP can be an important part of your health, think about the type of qualities you would like to have in a PCP. We have some tips on what to think about when choosing a PCP. Even if you only visit your PCP once a year, finding one who you feel comfortable with can help.

Get an annual wellness exam

You should plan to see your PCP every year for a wellness exam even if you aren’t sick. A wellness exam gives your PCP insights into your health and lets you and your PCP talk about any concerns before they become serious issues.

Before you meet with your doctor, keep track of any changes you’ve noticed about your health. Bring any questions or notes you have. Ask your doctor about whether you need to schedule any tests, screenings, immunizations or follow-up visits to review any concerns.

Tip: Blue Cross of Idaho members do not need to wait a full year before they see their doctor for their next wellness exam. For example, if you have a wellness exam at the end of the year, but don’t want to wait a full calendar year for your next wellness exam, then you can schedule it for earlier in the year.

If you’re a Blue Cross of Idaho member with a Medicare Advantage plan, please review your plan documents for more information about the timing of your annual wellness visit.

Blue Cross of Idaho members have annual wellness exams covered under their plan at little or no cost to them.

Keep your PCP updated on your care

Make sure your PCP has a full picture of your health. Tell them about all the prescription drugs you are taking, including supplements. Also, tell your PCP about any other diagnoses or treatments you may have received from specialists, such as an eye doctor or mental health specialist.

If you ever need to go to the hospital, make sure to follow up with your PCP after you leave. Explain to your PCP what treatments or care you received at the hospital, as well as any medications the hospital may have given you while you were there or when you left.

Schedule preventive care

When you meet with your PCP for your annual wellness visit, you may want to ask them if they recommend any preventive screenings or tests to check on your health. Preventive care is the best way to make sure your health is on track.

Here are some of the preventive screenings you should discuss with your PCP:

You should also ask your PCP about these immunizations:

  • COVID-19
  • Flu (every year)
  • Tetanus and diphtheria (Td) or tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap)
  • Shingles (for adults age 50 and older)
  • Pneumonia

If you’re a Blue Cross of Idaho member, these screenings and immunizations are covered at little or no cost to you when you go to an in-network provider or facility. Check your plan documents to see what is covered under your plan.

Don’t have a doctor? We can help.

Blue Cross of Idaho members can find an in-network provider in a few different ways.

Use our member app

Log in to the Blue Cross of Idaho member app and select Find Care to search for care, at home or on the go. From there you can search the name of a provider or select an option like Urgent Care or Medical Care to find a list of results.

On the web

Log in to your member account at members.bcidaho.com and select Find Care. There, you can search and find a list of providers in your network.

Call for help

Call the Blue Cross of Idaho Customer Service Department at the number on the back of your member ID card.

 

Written by: Blue Cross of Idaho

Posted: October 25, 2023