HMO Guide for Seniors - Office of the Patient Advocate - State of ...

26 Choosing Treatments
I
t is not always easy to decide on treatment. Most treatments
have risks as well as benefits. Talk with your doctor to learn
about your choices, so you can make an informed decision.
Compare Treatments
“My doctor and
I talked about
ways to manage
my back pain.
We agreed on a
treatment plan
that I think I
can follow.”
Ask your doctor to tell you:
Why you need treatment.
All your treatment choices, even if your plan does not cover
all of them.
The risks and benefits of each treatment.
Which treatment is most likely to help.
How long each treatment will take.
How long it will take to recover.
How much each treatment will cost.
How much discomfort or pain you will have with each treatment.
Get a Second Opinion
You can ask your HMO for a second
opinion if:
Your problem or the cause is unclear.
You are not sure about surgery.
You have doubts about a treatment
for a serious health problem.
Your treatment is not working.
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