Zen at the neighborhood clinic :: Tips for finding reliable health care
We know momma: Many of us are coming off what feels like the longest year of our lives. And finding general health care feels daunting in the post-COVID'ness of it all. But thanks to our partners at Gateway Hancock Health, this post spills some tips for finding reliable health care now. Read on, reader...
You might have noticed that walk-in urgent care centers are everywhere these days, popping up in drug stores and strip malls all over town. And if you’ve ever walked out of an urgent care office feeling worse than when you went in because of its drab surroundings, poor lighting, and unfriendly staff, you’re far from alone.
Drab environments don’t inspire healing.
But Gateway Hancock Health - located at I-70 and Mount Comfort Road - is changing all that, with a soothing, spa-like environment to complement expert health care. It’s part of a larger effort by Hancock Health to give patients comfortable, convenient health care that fits busy lifestyles.
Gateway boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, natural light, contemporary art, and friendly staff to answer questions about almost anything else you need to know for your appointment.
If all of that sounds expensive, it’s not.
Similar to where many modern providers are shifting to, Gateway is also focused on affordability — including its lab and imaging services, which cost, on average, 70 percent less than you’d pay for the same tests at hospitals.
ADD THIS TO YOUR LIST: How to choose the right mental health provider for you
The fact is, you deserve expert care no matter where you go. So we're sharing insider tips for finding convenient, reliable health care that’ll also help you maximize your comfort.
7 Tips for finding reliable health care:
Choose a medical office that’s located near your home or workplace. Make sure its hours are convenient for your schedule.
Find an office that can handle a wide range of medical needs. If you have a minor illness or injury—a small cut or burn, flu symptoms, a sprain or broken bone, a rash—you don’t need to be running all over town for labs or imaging. Spots like Gateway have everything you need in one location.
Consider your surroundings. An open design {with lots of natural light!} can help you feel better even before you see a healthcare professional.
Find simplified billing practices. For example, no matter how many tests or X-rays you get in a particular visit, most patients at Gateway will get one bill for everything.
Ask for an estimate upfront. A clinic’s staff should be able to give you an idea of how much you’ll be paying before you incur costs.
Look for staff members who’ll answer your questions, big or small. Whether you need immediate care, an MRI, or a blood test, your clinic should have staff who are dedicated to making your appointments fast and easy and answering your questions.
Consider how technology can improve your experience. Paperwork gets finished faster when you can fill it out online. At an advanced location like Gateway, you can go online to its Save Your Spot service and do just that, even before you arrive.
So, if you want a health care provider who's putting patients first, hopefully these tips for reliable health care help. And if you want medical office that’s organized around making you feel good—physically and emotionally—you might want to check out Gateway.
MORE ABOUT GATEWAY HANCOCK HEALTH: Gateway is an Indiana-based, full-service healthcare network serving Hancock County and the surrounding areas. Gateway offers first-class immediate care and high-value, affordable labs and imaging. Visit them in person at 6189 W. John L. Modglin Drive, Greenfield, IN 46140 or online at hancockgateway.org/.
