Navigating the Healthcare System

Throughout your life you will have to make health decisions for yourself and your family. The decisions you make can influence your overall well-being as well as the quality and cost of your care. Understanding the healthcare system may help you make the best decisions for you and your loved ones.

The following articles address some of the issues you may have in dealing with our health system. If there are topics we have not covered and you would like more information, please email us at info@healthyfalmouth.org.

FINDING A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL
Some of the challenges you may face in our local community are due to the shortage of primary care physicians—a national problem that is worse on Cape Cod because of the aging population and high cost of living.

• How to Choose a Physician
• Too Many Patients, Too Few Doctors
• How to Find a Physician in Falmouth

MEDICARE PART D
More than 25 percent of the local population is 65 years or older. If you are in this age group you may be struggling with how to choose a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan and, if you already have such a plan, how to avoid the dreaded coverage gap (also known as the “donut hole”).

• How to Enroll In a Medicare Part D Plan
• Understanding the Medicare Part D Donut Hole
• Saving Money In the Donut Hole
• Mail Order Drugs Can Save You Money
• Understanding a Drug Formulary

SAVING MONEY ON MEDICATIONS
With our seasonal economy, high cost of living, and recent downturn in the economy, many local residents are struggling to pay for necessities such as food and shelter. This financial struggle may be compounded by the high cost of prescription medications for chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and depression.

Quick Tips for Saving
• Ten Ways to Save Money on Your Medications
• Eight More Ways to Save on Medications
• Government Programs Can Help You Save
• Online Information to Help You Save Money on Drugs
• Pill Splitting to Save Money

 Generic Drugs
• Save Money Using Generic Drugs
• Are Generic Drugs Safe and Effective?

 Saving Online and Over the Border
• Online Drugstores - Are They Safe?
• Crossing the Border to Buy Medications
• Counterfeit Drugs