GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Compassus program serving Green Bay and the surrounding areas joins the American Institute of Preventive Medicine in observing Wise Health Care Consumer Month this February. This month is dedicated to informing and empowering consumers to understand their health care options, communicate with their care providers and make educated decisions about their own health.
“It’s extremely important to be a smart health care consumer, and it becomes even more imperative as you age,” said Jenni Fabry, executive director for Compassus – Green Bay. “We encourage seniors to talk with their physicians to learn about their care options and share their individual goals, values and preferences.”
Studies have found eight out of 10 Americans would prefer in-home care if facing a life-limiting illness, yet many remain unaware that hospice care is a choice available to them.
Discussing end-of-life care preferences with physicians enables patients to take control of the type of care they receive and when they receive it. These conversations, known as advance care planning, allow patients to create a roadmap of the medical care they are to receive in the event they are unable to speak for themselves due to illness or injury.
Effective January 1, 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began paying physicians for these important discussions about end-of-life wishes with Medicare beneficiaries.
“A year later, it is our hope that these conversations will increase awareness of the availability of palliative and hospice care services to those who qualify,” continued Fabry. “Instead of facing treatment that is unwanted or allowing family members to make decisions for them, patients who take an active role in their healthcare will receive the care that meets their personal needs, regardless of their condition.”
Throughout the month of February, Compassus – Green Bay will be joining organizations across the nation to encourage consumers to take an active role in their health care decisions.
For more information about Wise Health Care Consumer Month, visit healthylife.com/wise.
For information about Compassus – Green Bay, please call (920) 321-2004.
The post COMPASSUS – GREEN BAY RECOGNIZES WISE HEALTH CARE CONSUMER MONTH appeared first on Compassus.