Choosing the Right Meds: You and Your Doctor

At New York Health Works, we believe that patients and doctors should have the final say about a patient’s prescription medications.

When a doctor prescribes medication, they make a decision based on a variety of factors, including:

• The diagnosis
• Patient desires, whether that’s for a more mild medication or lower dosage
• Cost of medication under patient’s insurance
• Possible conflicts with existing medications the patient is taking

These factors take time and careful consideration, as they need to take into account a patient’s medical history, as well as their personal preferences.

However, it’s not always the case that a doctor will have the final say on the medication the patient ultimately receives.  While our expectation is usually that our doctor will determine which medication we should take, the reality is that insurance plans can change (even mid-year), impacting the prescription drugs that are covered by your plan and even restricting access to the medicine your doctor prescribed for you.

This change in insurance plans is disruptive to a patient’s health care. With extended research and development we have established that proper use of medicines yields improved health outcomes, while treatment gaps and lack of adherence to prescribed treatments lead to higher spending on otherwise avoidable medical care.

If you want to make sure you and your doctor have the final say in your health care plan, click here to stay informed. Our mission is to support New Yorkers in getting access to effective health care. We’ll keep you up to date on what’s happening with your health care rights in New York State and how you can get involved and make your voice heard.