24 Seven November 2020

Know What Insurance Covers
This article does not go into detail on the
insurance issues involved with having surgery,
but it is extremely important to contact both
your insurance company and all the providers
involved (surgeon, hospital, anesthesiologist,
pathologist and any specialists) to ensure
you will be covered by insurance and not get
any surprise bills. More and more patients
are being able to determine the costs of the
surgery ahead of time. You can also go to
websites such as Healthcare Bluebook and
Fairhealth Consumer to find out the typical
costs in different areas.
Be Prepared for Discharge
Ask about the recovery after surgery. You
need to determine if you will require help at
home or if you will be going to a rehabilitation
facility first before going home. Ask about any
specific medical equipment, therapy, or home
care assistance for treatments or devices that
you will need after surgery during recovery.
Prepare Your Body and Mind
It is important to physically and mentally
prepare for an upcoming surgery. You will
need to follow any preoperative instructions
the surgeon and medical team provide you,
but you can do more yourself. The list below
are some recommended suggestions to help
you prepare:
From The Story
Being in
the hospital
requires
that
you have
someone
to help you
understand
everything
going on
and be at
your side
with a
“watchful
eye”.
- Advance directive
- HCP document
- POSLT if you have it
- POA
- Name of a contact person and phone
number
- Your physician’s names & phone numbers
- Notebook and pen to take notes
- Cell phone and charger
- Book, newspaper or crossword if there is
waiting time
- Socks, sweaters in case of cool temps
- Disinfectant wipes- use frequently to wipe
down all high touch surfaces
Don’t Go It Alone!
You can see that there is a lot of preparation
and questions to be asked prior to surgery.
Enlist the help of a loved one or friend to
navigate this journey. You can also hire a
private healthcare advocate to assist you as
well. Remember, being in the hospital requires
that you have someone to help you understand
everything going on and be at your side with a
“watchful eye”.
• Eat plenty of protein to promote wound
healing and boost your immune system.
• Eat a high fiber diet of fruits and vegetables
to keep your GI system healthy when you are
not moving as much.
• Avoid sugary and processed foods.
• Increase your physical activity.
• Lose weight, if needed.
• Get a good amount of sleep.
• Discuss any fears or anxieties with a
trusted friend or therapist.
• Envision and focus on a positive outcome
and that your body is strong and will heal
quickly.
• Have your Hospital toolkit bag ready
consisting of:
- A list of your medications with dosages
and frequency and supplements as well as
a list of your medical conditions and past
surgeries and hospitalizations
- Insurance cards and you can keep a copy
of them in your bad
About The Author
LORIE GARDNER, RN
Lorie Gardner RN, BSN, NBC-HWC, founded
Healthlink Advocates, Inc., to assist people with
all aspects of their healthcare. As private nurse
patient advocates and board certified health &
wellness coaches, they partner with clients seeking
assistance navigating the complex healthcare
system and those seeking self-directed, lasting
health improvements aligned with their values.
To Learn More Visit:
www.healthlinkadvocates.com