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The Rising Cost of Sick-Care
- Jan 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 7
As you all well know there is rising debate as to how we fix our current healthcare system which is run by insurance companies who are only worried about their bottom-line. We are seeing this more and more often in the hospital setting where full hospital stays are being denied because the patient didn’t have a “qualifying diagnosis.” Or, they are not allowed to go to a rehab facility because that will cost the insurance too much money. And this says nothing about the rising cost of this insurance which is denying even basic labs that can help people live better lives.
I have personally dealt with having to make multiple appeals to my insurance company so that I could actually have knees that were functional and allowed me to do my job as a physical therapist. They also recently denied my vitamin D testing even though I spend majority of my day indoors out of necessity, live in a state with inversions at least 3 months out of the year, and was having definite issues related to low vitamin D levels. Even though the doctors deem these tests as medically necessary, insurance gets in the way.
I listened to a discussion recently talking about the role of productivity in the workplace. This is something that is wrought throughout the healthcare industry. How many patients are you seeing? How efficient are you? In order to make money, you have to see X number of patients per hour. Are you able to do that and still provide quality care? It was recently stated that productivity is great for business, but not for human services.
What this is resulting in is people ending up with diagnoses which are chronic in nature yet there is no time allowed for education regarding the best routes to address these chronic diseases. Instead you’re given a pill and maybe a handout explaining what this new condition is. Then, you’re usually left to your own devices. This is not achieving what majority of us want: healthy, happy lives. Instead, it’s keeping us in the system because we don’t have a clue how to go about making lifestyle changes to better manage our issues and honestly, those medications you were put on are simply symptom management and you may well need other medications to manage the side effects of the original medication. All of this leads to increased costs for everyone.
As the epidemics of heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes continue to soar out of control, so do the healthcare costs associated with these diseases. The annual out-of-pocket cost for diabetes management is now averaging over $9,000 per year, for cardiovascular disease: over $4,000 per year. This does not take into account lost work days due to hospitalizations or illnesses or the cost on your home life.
I want to be a voice for change. I want to take you on a different journey where you are my priority. You, as a whole person. I want to see your individuality and work together in co-creating your unique vision, developing goals meaningful to you and taking various actions steps towards achieving ultimate wellness to the best of your capacity. I will be your coach and your cheerleader as you make the changes that will truly matter in your life. I have a breadth of experience and continue to deepen my knowledge which is informing my own journey towards living a life where I am thriving. It is my desire to inspire by example, leaning into the deeper lessons I have learned on my own journey, understanding the potential obstacles and allowing you to problem solve how to keep moving forward in the face of setbacks, and honoring your own ability to make the choices that are best for you. Above all else, I want to celebrate with you when you achieve your goals and start seeing the fruits of your labor. You have the power to be the creator of your life, and I can be an guide supporting you on your journey towards ultimate wellness!
Please reach out to me at healthyhearts108@gmail.com
Text at: 801-718-0864
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