GET THE HEALTHCARE YOU DESERVE
For families working with a family office, healthcare decisions are often more complex and require careful planning — especially regarding hospital care. Whether it’s managing a chronic condition or handling an unexpected emergency, knowing how to navigate the hospital system can make all the difference. These tips will help protect your loved ones’ well-being and safeguard your financial health by minimizing unnecessary medical costs and complications.
1. Go to doctors and facilities you trust
If you don’t like your current doctor, consider changing providers. Take the time to vet your doctors and check that your medical facilities are accredited. If you’re not sure where to start, consider working with an experienced health advisor. Remember, excellent doctors are often supported by excellent teams, and those teams are dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for their patients.
2. Ask questions during your doctor’s appointments
If you ask a question and the doctor’s response is filled with medical jargon or seems too complex, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. It’s also a good idea to prepare a list of questions before your appointment, as it’s easy to forget once you’re in the room. Most importantly, ensure you fully understand the answers given.
3. Make sure you fully understand the next steps in your care
Take notes or record the doctor’s instructions to ensure nothing is missed or forgotten. This is especially important when additional tests, procedures, surgeries, or specialist referrals are involved. What should the patient and family expect, and how long will it take to get there? Clear communication helps everyone stay on track and reduces uncertainty.
4. Communicate with your providers and encourage them to communicate with each other
Make sure everyone on your medical team has the most up-to-date information about your health, including recent test results. Grouping your doctors within the same healthcare system can simplify this process, as many systems offer patient portals that make sharing information easier. A health advisor can also facilitate team meetings, ensuring all your doctors are on the same page.
5. Ask for support
Navigating the healthcare system on your own can be intimidating and stressful. You may be anxious about an upcoming doctor’s visit, but even if you’re not, consider asking a family member, close friend, or health advisor to accompany you. Having an advocate there with you will help you get the most out of the appointment. It can often be overwhelming to know where to start — what kind of doctor to see, which specialist or surgeon to choose, or even the best center for care. With so many options, patients and families need clarity on what they are looking for and what they truly need. This is where health advocates and advisors step in, helping clients navigate their choices to achieve what matters most: optimal outcomes. Our senior health advisor Dr. John Wheary asserts “It is sometimes hard to know where to begin, what kind of doctor or specialist or surgeon is right for you. Or the best center of care. Patients and families need to know what they are looking for, what they want. Health advisors help clients find what they need in order to get what they want: optimal outcomes.”
What better health care looks like
From a patient’s perspective, it can be hard to tell the difference between adequate care and great care — but healthcare experts know what to look for. We work with providers who combine deep clinical expertise with a genuine curiosity to uncover the root cause of a patient’s condition, exploring all possibilities to ensure comprehensive care. These providers not only stay ahead of the latest medical advancements but are also proactive in preventing illness and maintaining health.
With a broad network of trusted specialists and access to cutting-edge tools and technology, they deliver care that is both responsive and coordinated, ensuring patients and families receive timely, personalized attention. Most importantly, they foster an empathetic, compassionate environment while continuously shaping the standards of care they practice.
Getting great care is about more than going to the top doctors and best hospitals. It’s about how an expert health advisor sees the whole picture. At Wellworth, our team works collaboratively to locate the best options for each patient, preparing the provider before their visit, sitting in on appointments, relaying key medical information between providers, enhancing patient education, and supporting treatment decisions. It’s this combined effort that results in great care.
Support at every point in your journey
We offer ongoing support to ensure you and your loved ones receive exceptional healthcare at every stage. Whether you need help choosing the right insurance plan, finding a top concierge doctor, coordinating mental health treatment, or addressing any other health-related concerns, we’re here to assist you every step of the way. Don’t hesitate to reach out.