Steps for a Surgical Procedure

At some point in our lives, many of us will face a medical condition that requires surgery. Some procedures are more invasive than others, and some surgeries must be performed immediately while others can be delayed or scheduled with greater flexibility. Regardless of the surgery that you may need, considering it is eligible for sharing, there is a clear path that you can follow to receive quality care at a fair and reasonable price. Let’s walk through those steps together!

First, as with nearly every medical procedure, you should consult your primary care physician. Discuss your condition, undergo any necessary testing, and, if appropriate, meet with a specialist – preferably one who participates in the PHCS Network. Work with your healthcare provider to develop an agreed upon treatment plan. Remember at this stage to ask plenty of questions, ascertain the “why” for a recommended surgical procedure, discuss possible alternative that may be available, and understand the potential positive and negative outcomes for your treatment plan.

Second, and possibly most importantly for a Liberty HealthShare member, you should contact Liberty HealthShare’s Care Navigation team at 855-585-4237 prior to scheduling your surgery. If your surgical procedure requires prenotification to be eligible for sharing you will want to be this crucial step is completed. Our Care Navigation facilitators are ready not only to answer questions you may have about your procedure and the sharing process, but they’re equipped to help you explore your options based on quality of services, location, and costs.

Using tools such as Claritiv Connect, formerly known as HST Connect, Liberty HealthShare’s Care Navigation team can help you research provider quality ratings, acceptance of fair and reasonable pricing, available surgical facilities, and more. Navigating the healthcare landscape can be a difficult task, but taking the time to compare your options may result in significant savings and better overall experience. Liberty HealthShare members are active and thoughtful consumers of their healthcare, and by contacting Liberty HealthShare before scheduling surgical services, our members demonstrate their commitment to making responsible healthcare decisions and doing their part to steward our community’s shared resources.

Finally, depending on the procedure, contacting Liberty HealthShare before services are scheduled or performed may provide access to bundled pricing through one of Liberty HealthShare’s surgical service partners, such as Coral Health or Valenz. Bundled pricing establishes a single, fixed cost for the services associated with a surgical procedure. Bundled pricing may both reduce your medical expenses and help the Liberty HealthShare community utilize our collective SharePower with greater efficiency. Bundled pricing options aren’t always easy to identify, but our Care Navigation team stands ready to guide you through the process and help you find quality care and a fair and reasonable price.

The most important thing to remember is that from start to finish you are not alone. Whether you’re just learning about surgery you may need from your medical provider, or if you’re trying to find bundled pricing to help save on your medical expenses, hopefully this educational article has helped reinforce that the Liberty HealthShare team is here to help – reach out whenever you need assistance and let’s walk together on the path where faith and healthcare unite!