As the owner of a small business and a physician, I am often on both sides of the health care crisis in the United States. The healthcare premiums for my employees

have more than doubled during the last five years, despite higher co-pays and decreased coverage. However, without insurance reimbursement for the services we provide, it would be difficult for our business to be profitable. Many times I wonder where the money is being spent. Despite the higher insurance premiums, almost all physicians are making less income than a decade ago. In addition, patients are being required to contribute more than ever with larger deductibles and co-pays. Most experts agree that these trends will continue into the next decade. So what can be done? I would argue that the answer lies in the less frequent and more cost effective utilization of insurance. Perhaps it is time to stop relying on your insurance company and take personal responsibility for your health.
The first step to taking responsibility for your health is establishing a goal. Perhaps losing weight or beginning to exercise is you first step. Others may have more specific goals; such as getting off of blood pressure medication or avoiding back surgery. The next step is finding a physician or other expert who will take the time to evaluate the individual, not just a set of conditions. This person should be able to lay out a step by step plan to help you become healthier and more self reliant. This will help you have a better chance to achieve your goal. The final step is to commit to sticking with your goals and following the guidelines layed out by your chosen expert.

I am proud to say that every patient that has been seen in my office over the last decade has been given at least one exercise or activity to do at home to expediate their own recovery. The secondary benefit is to eventually minimize their reliance on our services. Often we will provide weight loss recommendations or advise a consult with our nutritionist. Others may be taught proper lifting mechanics or have their work space modified to decrease biomechanical stress. We have done numerous seminars and workshops throughout the Pittsburgh area to help employers prevent recurrent injuries in the workplace. Employers are beginning to realize that wellness programs and workplace education not only improve productivity, but also can help to lower insurance premiums due to decreased utilization.

The old adage “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of care” is critical when calculating the value of a wellness lifestyle. Many conventional and common sense interventions can take the place of costly drugs and surgery if done early. Exercise and diet have a powerful influence in preventing the effects of aging. Exercise is preventative for conditions ranging from dementia to heart disease. Low calorie, high protein diets are showing promise in extending the length and quality of life.

We live in a country that spends more money on healthcare than any other. However, we rank poorly in longevity and health quality compared to many other nations. We are much too reliant on expensive testing to evaluate conditions and costly medications to treat the consequences of our poor health choices. Changes in our healthcare system should not be dictated by the government, but rather be changed at a grass roots level by the individual. Needing less healthcare due to improved overall health and more cost effective choices will lower healthcare premiums with the added benefit of a healthier and happier you!