The Best Defense to Rising Healthcare Costs in 2017? Don’t Get Sick!!
Remember that silly nursery school rhyme?…. “An Apple a Day, Keeps the Doctor Away!” Well in the land of rising insurance premiums and healthcare costs, it’s not a bad strategy. I am going to throw together a few more thoughts, a few words of encouragement as today’s “Patient” faces an uncertain future in healthcare. I’ve always wanted to say….”It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”…but isn’t that the truth? This may not be the French Revolution, but today we face a revolution of a different type. What’s going to happen to “Affordable Healthcare?” What is the new President in The Whitehouse going to do for the next four years? I am not picking sides….Republican vs. Democrat….but it does make sense to at least hope for things to get better regarding our ability to get the best healthcare at the most affordable price. At the end of the day, the best defense to rising healthcare costs is “NOT TO GET SICK!” Am I sounding a little “obtuse” as Andy Dufraine would say in The Shawshank Redemption? I really mean it!! As we head into the New Year, think of those activities that are more likely to send you through the maze of doctors visits, dentist visits and prescription refills. If you are a smoker…..stop procrastinating and rationalizing another year away with no improvement. If you are a drinker, find a way to stop it. If you are an overeater work harder at getting the weight off. There are many articles, books, doctors and websites with advise on how to deal with these health vices. But no matter how wise or smart this advise is…none of it will work….if you are not WANTING to drop the bad habits. The first step is you really HAVE TO WANT TO kick the habit of whatever is ailing you. You can’t pay for or purchase “wanting to.” The “wanting to” has to come from within. The more you take care of yourself at home, the less likely you are going to have to spend time at the doctors office, and to hopefully be reducing your healthcare bills. May you all have a Happy and Healthy New Year!!