Should health advisory be part of your health strategy?

You have health insurance and a great primary care provider. Are there other resources that could help you build a personalized strategy to manage your health and wellbeing? Health advisory services are one option to explore.

Health advisors do not provide medical care. Instead, they offer a range of services and resources that expand and complement the services provided by your health insurance and primary care physician, including:

• Expedited access to top physicians and hospitals in the U.S. and overseas, both in emergency and non-emergency situations, without the limitations of insurance provider networks or having to rely on referrals within a single hospital system
• Coordination of care and communication between all the physicians you see, including primary care, specialists, and physicians providing second opinions on diagnoses and treatment options for serious illnesses
• Objective, evidence-based research on healthcare providers, medical conditions, and treatments
• Collection, review, and consolidation of comprehensive medical records into a secure electronic medical record for all members of the family
• Expedited access to expert second opinions both in person and virtually
• Support for proactive and preventive health goal setting and wellness planning, including personalized disease screening strategies based on your personal and family health history; lifestyle support including nutritionists, trainers, and physical therapists; access to experienced integrative medicine providers
• Care management and support such as scheduling and attending physician’s appointments to take notes and ask questions, health risk assessment, and managing prescriptions, which can be helpful if you’re facing a serious, rare, or complex health problem or if you’re older and living with multiple health issues

Are health advisory services a good fit for me?

The services provided by a health advisor can help anyone who wants to take a more proactive approach to health and wellness, but they’re especially helpful for:

• People who have been diagnosed with a serious, rare, or complex condition and those living with multiple physical and/or mental health challenges
• Older people living with multiple chronic health conditions that require frequent doctor’s visits to multiple specialists, diagnostic testing, and the management of multiple prescription medications
• People who want to build a proactive and preventative health strategy to minimize health risks and optimize wellness

What to look for in a health advisor

A health advisory firm is only as good as its staff and the resources it provides. Here are some things to consider when comparing firms:

• Does the firm have strong relationships with medical centers of excellence across the country so you can have access to the best care when you need it?
• Do they have trained, dedicated staff responsible for collecting, organizing, and reviewing medical records to develop a thorough understanding of your health risks and goals? Is that information continuously reviewed and updated? Is it available in a secure electronic format that can be instantly shared with any physician who treats you to reduce your risk of misdiagnosis and medical errors?
• Do they have specially trained staff to perform evidence-based medical research on physicians, health conditions, and treatments and deliver objective recommendations, reports, and referrals?
• Is an advisor available at all times, 24/7/365?
• Can they quickly connect you with expert physicians in person or virtually for medical second opinions? Will an advisor help you understand the second opinion and what your next steps should be?
• Do they offer support to ensure medical bills are accurate and help you if they aren’t?