Kern Family Health Care | Family Health | Winter 2022

FAMILY HEALTH 6 Tips for talking to your doctor 1. Prepare for your appointment with your doctor. Write down a list of questions and concerns before your visit. You may want to bring a close friend or family member with you to help talk to your doctor. Make sure to mention your list of questions at the start of the visit. 2. Request an interpreter. If your primary language is not English, call KFHC to request an interpreter. An interpreter will help you understand your doctor and what you need to do to stay healthy. 3. Be honest about health worries or concerns. This helps your doctor get the full picture of your well-being and assess lifestyle factors that might impact your health. 4. Ask questions. Make sure you understand your diagnosis and treatment plan. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor to repeat something or explain it in plain language. Also ask about phone or telehealth options for any questions that may not require an in‑person visit. 5. Work as a team. If your doctor recommends a treatment, share your worries about possible side effects or questions about other options. Sources: Johns Hopkins Medicine; National Institutes of Health Member rights If you are unhappy with a decision KFHC made about an authorization or medication request, or if you have a service or quality of care complaint against KFHC or a provider, please contact us first. You can call 661632-1590 (Bakersfield) or 800391-2000 (outside of Bakersfield). You can also visit our website, kernfamilyhealthcare.com, or log in to your KFHC Member Portal account. You may call the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) for help if: y Your grievance is an emergency. y You are not happy with KFHC’s decision. y It has not been resolved in 30 days. The DMHC’s toll-free number is 888-466-2219. Its TDD line (for people with hearing and speech impairments) is 877-688-9891. You may also call the Department of Health Care Services Office of the Ombudsman toll-free at 888-452-8609.

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