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"So what's really critical here is the conversation that you can have with your doctor...to really look at what's really going on here...and what can I as a physician can do about it."
Donald Ford, M.D., FAAFP
Vice President, Medical Operations,
Hillcrest Hospital, Cleveland Clinic


Consumers Are Wising Up

Choosing Wisely is not about avoiding tests to lower costs. The motivation is to improve quality, avoid harm and eliminate waste.

OUCH!
THAT HURTS
MY WALLET
An Institute of Medicine report estimates that up to 30 % of health care spending is waste.

Total U.S. spending on care accounted for 18% of the gross domestic product, and is expected to climb to nearly 20% by 2020 if nothing changes.

Eliminating care that provides no benefit – which is not good care – will reduce the burden on families’ budgets and free up dollars to help our economy recover faster.
When 27 prestigious medical societies publish lists of care that you probably don’t need, it’s worth considering. Think about it:
  • Consumer Reports – the nonprofit leader of research on smart purchasing – explains when you don’t need care, when you might and why;
  • The medical societies’ recommendations to physician members, a large number of whom reside in Ohio, advise what not to do, meaning less revenue
  • Doctors from Northeast Ohio’s leading healthcare systems in Northeast Ohio endorse the program. See the list of Better Health’s Choosing Wisely CLE partners.



Consumer Reports' 5 Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before You
Get Any Test, Treatment, or Procedure
Do I really need this test or procedure?
Medical test help you and your doctor or other health care provider decide how to treat a problem. And medical procedures help to actually treat it.
What are the risks?
Will there be side effects? What are the chances of getting results that aren't accurate? Could that lead to more testing or another procudure?
Are there simpler, safter options?
Sometimes all you need to do is make lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier foods or exercising more.
What happens if I don't do anything?
Ask if your condition might get worse - or better - if you don't have the test or procedure right away.
How much does it cost?
Ask if there are less-expensive test, treatments or procedures, what yoru insurance may cover, and about generic drugs instead of brand-name drugs.