Discussion on quality health care as it relates to cost, quality, and access

Respond to two of your classmates. Read through your classmates’ posts; specifically, the recommendations given on cost, quality and access. Do you agree or disagree with the recommendations listed by your classmate? What might you add or done differently to maintain patient satisfaction with the delivery of quality health care as it relates to cost, quality, and access?

1. student post
Ignacio Martinez

As a patient, cost is very important. It is completely understandable that he may not be able to afford the $150 cost to see his pcp (primary care physician) at that time. Although, his health is extremely important, it may be difficult for him to access the means to pay for medical attention. I recommend that he pull the means for the $150 cost from other funds that may be set aside such as rent, or grocery funds. If not treated, he symptoms may worsen and the cost will be even greater than the $150 he has to cover first. A potential loan may be helpful as well to help cover the cost for his pcp visit. Your direct family is also crucial for a healthy recuperation when you fall ill. Family should be involved in their loved one’s recuperation. They should take note of any potential follow ups, treatments, medication regimens, and even care instructions that the patient (family member) may need. Also be aware and vigilant of family members whose health may not be the best and or simply take a turn for the worst. Especially if they see that the family member is not seeking professional help and medical attention. Health care professional play an even larger role in cost, quality, and access limitations. In this situation, the pcp should be diligent in addressing the concerns and needs of the patient at the first visit. Ensure that the physician does not disregard or play down any symptoms or concerns the patient is expressing. It may already have been hard enough to for the patient to cover the cost of the consultation, it will be even harder for the patient to cover the cost to come back for another visit due to negigance, a misdiagnose or play down of the patient’s symptoms. Access limitation exist, and it is a strong reason why many do not seek medical attention until complications get out of hand.

2. students post
Anita Matthews
Patient
Healthcare can be very costly. As a patient, they want affordable healthcare with the lowest copays and deductibles. However, for people who are unemployed healthcare can be very expensive. A physician office vist can start at $150 and up depending on the type of physician being seen. Most urgentcare facilities want you to pay the full cost up front if the patinet does not have insurance. Also, emergency room visits are even more costly because if they do any tests the patinetcan end up with a bill starting at $2000-$5000. This is not including the patient may receive several different bills from physicians, labs, and the hospital. Then the patient will have to pay for their prescription out of pocket which can also be costly depending on the prescription. Access is important to the patient because if a patient gets sick at night and the PCP is closed then they may not have access to an urgent care depending on their location. A lot of times urgent care facilities are far away. The last option is to go to the emergency room which may be a long wait. Access for patients is very important especially if they are very ill. The quality of care is important because a lot of times the patient just wants to go home and is not listening to the physician and probably will not get the prescriptions filled and does not plan to follow up with their PCP or specialist. A lot of times the doctor is in and out of the room at discharge. The nurse does her part by explaining he diagnosis and plan of care. The nurse gives the patient discharge papers, and the patient will have a question and the doctor can not be reached.
Family
The cost would be important to the family members if they are the patient advocate. The patient advocate is responsible for overseeing all of the medical decisions for the patient and this would include the cost of medical care for the patient. The family member needs to make sure that the best cost efficient option is chosen for the patients healthcare. Access to healthcare is also important for the patient advocate because they may have to tranpsort the patient. If not, they need to make sure the most cost efficient option is chosen to get the patient to the hospital safely. The family memeber also need sto make sure that the patient receives a good quality of care. The advoctae needs to make sure that the diagnosis and treatment plan is explained properly and that all the medications are filled.
Health Care Professionals
The healthcare professionals are the care providers for the patient. They need to make sure that the patient understands the diagnosis and treatment plan. The doctor need to make sure that all questions are answered properly in regards to the patients diagnosis, treatment plan, and medication. The nurse usually does the recap of what the doctor wants for the patient. The doctors can prescribe other medications for the patinets that have a generic brand that wont be that costly. They may also have information to give the patient on discounted medication programs. Because the medical providers know which medications are costly they can help the patinet by writing them a low cost prescription. Access to healthcare is important for the healthcare providers so that they will have business because without patients they will not have a job. The quality of care is very important to the healthcare provider because they want to present a good name for themselves. People put bad reviews about doctors online so they have to make sure that they give the best quality of care for their patients so theycan make a good name for their office of hospital.
I am actually going through a similar situation now. I am in school so I do’nt have a job with healthcare benefits. I reveiewed the cost of individual plans and they are way too expensive. However, I live in Texas which is a red state. They do not give medicaid to individuals unless they are having a baby or they have special circumstances such as a disability. However, we do have county hospitals here that will see you and they give you 40% off of your doctor visits and they will fill your prescriptions for a low cost at the hospital. They have a program that goes according to your income. The way that dela with. costs is that I get discounts on my medical bills because I go to a county hospital to be seen. Access is not an issue because I do not live far from the hospital and they have family clinic all over the metroplex. Some people think that going to a county hospital you won’t get good healthcare, but I’ve had some really good doctors. They can find a county hospital that has clinics all over. This would be my recommendation for anyone who has this issue.