What's the right medical choice for you? Going to the best place for your problem

We all know that health care is important, but it is also confusing.

When you have an ailment, where do you go? Where is the best place to get help as quickly as you need it and care that matches the severity of your problem?

As an emergency medicine specialist, I know that patients need help to know where they need to go to receive the care they need.

When patients are educated and empowered, they can assume responsibility to make the right decision about cost, location and medical need. Everyone agrees that health care needs more efficiency, and empowering patients with knowledge is where it starts.

Bravo to many businesses, both large and small, that are now taking measures to ensure that their employees better understand their insurance offerings. The rising cost of health care is related to ill-informed provider choices that are contributing to higher premiums and a higher cost of care.

Bravo to insurance companies for offering patients more tools to help them make the right decision. Many companies now have tools available that help patients get an idea of the price of a procedure before they go for care. This is progress, and more transparency in pricing is coming.

Bravo to doctors for educating their patients about the different levels of care available. From a patients perspective, understanding where to go is an important first step.

Barring a 911-type emergency, patients need to see their primary care physician as a first choice. You can think of your primary care doctors office as your front door into the health care system.

But what can patients do if their primary care doctor is not available, or they need emergency care? If you have a choice (and, again it isnt a life-threatening emergency), you have three options.

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What's the right medical choice for you? Going to the best place for your problem