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Choose
a Doctor as if Your Life Depends on It
You may be considering
a change in health insurance plans. You may not realize
it, but changing health plans can result in having to
select a new physician as well. What's more, the new doctor
you choose may or may not use the health-care services
you've come to know and trust like the many facilities
and services in the Loyola University Health System (Loyola)
network.
At Loyola, we think you should be involved and informed
when you choose your doctor, as well as when you choose
a new health plan. After all, your doctor is your strongest
ally in the fight to stay healthy.
So
how do you choose Loyola?
Ask questions. Lots of them. Here are a few to begin
with: Does
the health plan you're considering allow you to use
Loyola?
Ask about any restrictions.
Will
the doctor you choose refer you to Loyola specialists
and use Loyola facilities?
Even if your health plan works with Loyola the doctor
you choose might not.
Join
a Health Plan Before You Need One
Don't wait until you're sick to look for a health plan.
Not only does it take time to find a plan you like,
but many plans have exclusions that could prevent coverage
for previously diagnosed ailments. Think ahead. Are
you planning a family? Will you need surgery soon? Will
you be moving out of the area?
If
you or your spouse is employed and wants to change plans
under your employer, ask about open enrollment (the
time of year when employees change insurance plans).
But don't wait until the last minute to start shopping
around. Give yourself two months to do your homework
for the best results.
If
your employer doesn't provide health insurance, you'll
need to focus on health plans that offer insurance to
individuals. You also might investigate associations
that offer members the opportunity
to join a health plan.
Good Health Plans Start with the Doctor
The first step in choosing a health plan that's right
for you is choosing a doctor who's right for you.
If
you have a doctor you like, find out the plans in which
he/she participates. Next, consider your special medical
needs. If you regularly see a particular cardiologist,
allergist or any other specialist, you may want a plan
that allows you to continue doing so without a referral.
Lastly,
think of the hospitals and health facilities you like.
Do
certain hospitals specialize in medical areas that are
of particular importance to you? Is one hospital more
convenient than another?
Find out which hospitals are affiliated with which plans.
Access
Having a doctor in the Loyola network means you're assured
access to all of the resources of a major, integrated
health-care system. We say integrated because our many
health-care services work together to coordinate services,
facilitate referrals and communication, and efficiently
manage care from the physician office to the hospital
to other outpatient services designed to help each patient
along the road to recovery.
Loyola
believes in offering the highest quality care in the
most convenient way possible. It's important to us that
you feel secure about the quality and availability of
the care you receive. That's why we offer a variety
of services in many communities in the Chicago area.
Related
Links
How
patients benefit with Loyola
Loyola
primary care physicians in your area
Accepted
insurance plans
Questions
and answers about Loyola insurance plans
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