Insurance Basics: Shared Decision Making

Shared Decision Making

We often rely on our doctors to tell us what care we need. But to get the best care, you and your doctor should make decisions together. This process is called “shared decision making”.

Shared Decision Making
Palliative Care and Shared Decision Making

Palliative care is medical care that tries to relieve discomfort and stress for people with serious illnesses. It focuses on improving quality of life for patients and their families. Palliative care doesn’t try to cure the illness.

Palliative Care and Shared Decision Making
Shared Decision Making and Preference-Sensitive Conditions

To get the best care, it helps if you and your doctor make decisions together. The process is called "shared decision making." This article suggests ways to talk to your doctor about three common health problems where there may be no clear, "right" option. They are uterine fibroids, type 2 diabetes and slow-growing prostate cancer. These are examples of preference-sensitive conditions.

Did You

Know

After you visit the doctor, your plan may send you an “Explanation of Benefits”, or EOB, explaining how much they paid and why. If you owe any money, you´ll get a bill directly from your provider.

Did You

Know

If you visit a doctor who doesn´t take your plan, you can use your cost estimate to negotiate the price.