Thanks @windyshores for bringing this up. I have some special advantages in my health care. First, my health care is in the hands of a leading HMO, Kaiser-Permanente, a major provider of comprehensive services in the Atlantic area of Eastern states and in Western states as well. Second, my wife and I are on Medicare for virtually all health care services. Third, we are participating in Medicare Advantage, which changes the financial incentives for the HMO and its professional staff, raising Medicare compensation on the basis of documented health problems -- more of them for a patient increases Medicare payments for each service provided. That leads to formation of medical teams with doctors and their staffs working in groups and with the patient in partnership with them in deciding how to treat illnesses. The interactive composite is so firmly built in that our monthly payment for HMO services is only $17 each, because Medicare is our primary insurance.

Yesterday, I had a sad moment when I read a statement by a Mayo Connect member who wrote that "they made me take it" -- that is, their medical service professionals made them take a medication that caused them problems. My doctors have never "made me take it" in 20 years with K-P; I have always had a role in all of the decisions about my health care, from initial diagnosis through final treatment plans and/or cure. I rely on the team to cooperate and coordinate, and they rely on me to keep them posted on any problems that come up, to decide on a recommendation they have made, and to carry out the treatment plans we adopt together. I don't change anything without checking with them. Can you see a way for you to build this kind of health care partnership for yourself?

Agree. Similar experiences at Mayo-. Hindsight: Find new doc!