Practical and Financial Tips to Help You Prepare
Learning from your doctor that you will need to schedule a medical treatment can be nerve-racking. Even procedures that are considered “routine” can make us anxious, but the fact is that sometimes we must work through our apprehension and move forward with treatments that may be in the best interest of our health. Unfortunately, medical procedures have the potential to be disruptive to our daily lives, so it can be beneficial to prepare both practically and financially.
Here are steps you can take to feel more in control and confident heading into a medical treatment.
Practical Preparations
- Communicate with your medical provider. Even if your doctor gives you written instructions, you may still have important questions about your procedure. Where will it take place? Will you need to stay overnight in a hospital or rehabilitation facility, or can you return home the same day? Will you need to fast beforehand, and if so, when should you begin? Are there any medications you should stop taking? What type of anesthesia will be used, and are there side effects to expect? How long is the recovery period? It’s a good idea to write down your questions and keep asking until you feel confident and fully informed.
- Arrange your transportation to the treatment and for support to be with you. Whether you are having an inpatient or outpatient procedure, it can be comforting to have a trusted family member or friend at your side throughout the process.
- Will you need to plan for childcare or pet care? Make arrangements in advance to ensure that this is covered.
- Plan for your recovery time. Stock up on groceries, medications, and comfort items. It can also be helpful to prepare some meals and create a comfortable recovery area for your return home.
- Organize your medical records and emergency information. Keep your insurance cards, identification, medication list, and emergency contact information handy so that you or your support person will not have to search for it if you need it.
Financial Preparations
- Review your insurance coverage. Make sure you understand what is covered and what is not. You may have a deductible or copayment that is your responsibility. It can also be a good idea to verify if a pre-authorization is required and that it is obtained if necessary.
- Estimate your costs. You can request a breakdown of anticipated costs from your medical provider and calculate any out-of-pocket expenses you will incur. If you have any concerns about the portion you may be financially responsible for, speak with your medical provider. They may be able to offer assistance with payment plans or have alternative options available.
- Prepare for time off from work if necessary. Review your company’s policies on sick leave, short-term disability, or paid time off. Speak with your employer so that you can plan together for any time that you will need for your treatment and recovery.
- Consider placing bills on autopay. It can be helpful to take care of any financial housekeeping items prior to your treatment so that you can remain focused on your health and not have to worry if your bills are being paid on time. It is important to note that this is a step that you should continue to monitor. There are some cybersecurity features that will prevent payments from being processed if your bank suspects activity that is out of the ordinary. A quick call to your bank to inform them of your current situation and to notify them that you will be making automatic payments can enable them to assist you with staying on track.
- Set aside emergency funds. A number of expenses may pop up in relation to your medical treatment. You may have unexpected costs for prescriptions, a visiting nurse or care aide to provide in-home assistance, or a slower recovery than anticipated which might require that you are out of work for longer than you had originally planned. If you have an emergency fund, it’s completely appropriate to use it for unexpected medical expenses. However, if you have some time before your procedure, adding to your savings in advance can help reduce the need to rebuild your emergency fund later.
Legal Preparations
A health care proxy (sometimes called a medical power of attorney) is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to do so.
- Informed Decisions: If complications arise and you’re temporarily unconscious or incapacitated, your proxy can step in and make decisions that reflect your values and wishes.
- Reduces Delay in Treatment: Doctors won’t need to wait or search for consent—they’ll have someone immediately available to speak for you.
- Avoids Conflict: It helps avoid family disagreements about care because you’ve made it clear who should be in charge.
- Honors Your Preferences: You can specify what kinds of treatments you want or don’t want (like life support or resuscitation), and your proxy is legally empowered to ensure those preferences are respected.
- Peace of Mind for Everyone: You go into surgery with less worry, and your loved ones feel reassured knowing there’s a clear plan if decisions need to be made.
It’s one of those proactive steps that might feel heavy to consider, but it ultimately lightens the load when it matters most.
While it can be unsettling to learn that you will need to have a medical treatment or procedure, if you take steps to prepare both practically and financially, it can go a long way to help in reducing stress. Take a deep breath and remember that professionals such as your medical provider and financial advisor are here to help. If you would like more information, please contact us.
