Are you feeling the expense of health care costs without much of the benefit? Probably.
The United States tops the list of countries with the most expensive health care. Health care is costing the US 3 trillion dollars. The average citizen paying $10,224 for health-related issues per year. Japan pays half of that, with annual costs at only $4,717 per year.
With skyrocketing health care prices, obviously the United States has the best health care system in the world, right? Not so much. In America, the life expectancy of the average citizen is under 75 years. While in Japan, the average citizen can enjoy a life expectancy around 83 years. Do the math. Japanese citizens live about 4 years longer than Americans. They only pay about half the price in healthcare costs.
Even more disturbing is that some of our health care issues are increasing over time. Take child and maternity mortality rates, for example. In 1979, maternity mortality was 10.5 deaths for every 100,000 births. In 2015, that number rose to 14 deaths for every 100,000 live births.
Spending more for health care should equate to better health care and a higher life expectancy. It doesn’t.
Health care providers have a moral obligation to provide quality care for the best price. There are, however, far too many disconnects between what expectations and delivery in our existing system.
Is the Entire Health Care System Flawed?
The easy answer is yes. The entire system is flawed. There are too many inefficiencies that lead to increased costs. This affects employers and employees alike. Inefficiencies have roots in many things, starting with insurance companies.
For example, the cost of a doctor’s appointment is difficult to understand. In order for insurance to pay the bill, the doctor must be in the insurance provider’s “network.” This sounds rather simple, but here is where the disconnects begin.
The insurance company automatically writes off certain services. The doctor is still providing those services, but now they are receiving no payment. The insurance company believes the doctor can make up for the difference with more patients. The doctor should receive more patients through the insurance company from network referrals. That means your health care costs increase as the doctor’s offices work to recover money for services they have delivered.
Is Saving Health Care Costs Possible When The United States is “Hooked” on Medications?
Per the CDC, 90% of all healthcare costs in the United States is for mental health or chronic conditions. As a culture, Americans expect that there is a prescription for everything. In fact, prescriptions are the number one reason for all physician office visits.
The United States consumes 45% of all the world’s prescription medication. Yet America makes up just over 4% of the world’s total population.
Can medications be the answer if we still have a lower life expectancy and higher health costs? Shouldn’t Americans have the highest life expectancy compared to the rest of the world?
The United States consumes 45% of the world’s Prescription medication.
Of the drugs prescribed, many are harmful opioids prescribed for pain. Opiods have highly addictive properties. They must be prescribed with proper counseling. Addiction is on the rise. Prescription pain relievers are often the first step leading to lifelong heroin addiction.
Of course, there is a place for prescription medications. Life-threatening emergencies and trauma are a good example. But medication is not always the best way to treat chronic conditions or mental health issues. Type II Diabetics may not need to be on metformin, and depressives may not need Prozac. In most instances, treatment of the lifestyle issues are much more effective.
Many diseases can be reversed with diet and exercise. Patients may also need the help of a psychologist or nutritionist to manage their health. Patients go to medical doctors for treatment. But doctors never covered lifestyle changes in school as completely as was necessary. We need a holistic view of health from all health care professionals.
Is There a Possibility for Saving Health Care Costs with Chiropractic Treatment?
Healthcare providers are often too quick to try invasive and costly procedures. The medical profession should always try the cheapest, least invasive, course of treatment first. If these therapies don’t work, patients can move to more invasive therapies.
Chiropractors are an excellent first-line treatment for back injuries from an accident or lifting. Assuming that the chiropractor can’t resolve the pain, a second opinion from another chiropractor may be in order since each chiropractor may take a different approach to pain relief and adjustments.
If adjustments don’t help the patient, the next step would be to see a medical doctor for short-term medications, such as muscle relaxers. If the problem persists, they should contact an orthopedic specialist or a surgeon. This is a gradual way for the patient to address the problem.
Most of the time, the chiropractic treatment will relieve the condition. In that case, there is no need for harmful and addictive drugs, or risky surgery. In fact, patients who see a chiropractor first for low back pain decrease their odds of back surgery. Consulting a surgeon first increases the odds of surgery by 43%. Consulting a chiropractor first can mean big savings and decreased complications.
Consulting a surgeon first increases the odds of surgery by 43%
Obviously, there are times or injuries that are beyond the scope of a chiropractor, and more invasive treatments are necessary.
Saving Health Care Costs Starts With You
Patients should always seek treatment options that are less invasive. Nutritionists, chiropractors, and psychologists can effectively treat many chronic illnesses, including mental health conditions. More invasive treatments may include surgery and long-term expensive medications. Your chiropractor uses specialized treatment plans. Here at Crist Chiropractic of Cool Springs, we including gentle manipulation and soft tissue therapies. We want you to feel better faster and for far less money. We want you to get back to living your best life without drugs or surgery. Chiropractic care can be the beginning of saving health care costs for you and your family.
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