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Most people have a general idea of what to do in a health emergency. If a family member is injured or has sudden new symptoms, they'll call 911 or take them to the emergency room. Those steps are important, but for high-net-worth families, especially those whose family members have unique healthcare needs, it’s critical to have a more detailed emergency plan in place.
In a medical emergency, you need to move fast, but you may be unable to think clearly. “Medical emergencies and emergency departments can be frightening and intimidating,” says John F. Wheary, DO, MBA, FACEP, an emergency physician and senior advisor with Better Health Advisors. “Patients and families need to feel empowered and vested in their health care experience, even when these unforeseeable emergency situations arise. Being prepared and informed will help you navigate these experiences.”
Creating a step-by-step emergency plan allows you to make thoughtful, informed choices based on your health, your health insurance coverage and other factors. An emergency plan is a physical notebook or binder that is stored at home in an easily accessible place and kept up to date. It protects your family’s health while also protecting your wealth.
Creating an emergency plan: Five steps to take
1. Check that your medical paperwork is up to date
If you don’t have a healthcare proxy and living will, set these documents up now.
2. Call 911 immediately
Dr. Wheary advises, “Never ‘wait it out’ – life threatening conditions are time dependent. If you experience any signs or symptoms of an emergency condition, get to the hospital immediately. Do not delay in calling 911 for any emergency.”
While calling 911 is most urgent, include the following information in your emergency plan:
- Which ambulance company is your best option?
- If there is more than one hospital nearby, which is the best choice? (The answer may vary depending on the circumstances.)
- Phone numbers for others you may want to contact in an emergency, including your primary care provider, health advisor, health insurance company, and family members.
3. Collect and organize your medical information
“There is nothing more valuable than information… especially in the emergency department,” says Dr. Wheary. “Know your medical and surgical history, medications, allergies, and physicians. Having that information readily available and up to date enables the ER team to find the problem more quickly. Every bit of information enhances your care, eases your suffering, and improves your overall outcome.”
Include your health details in your emergency plan and note the dosage and frequency of your medications, vitamins, and supplements.
4. Know what to bring to the hospital
In addition to the information listed above, bring your medications, including vitamins and supplements, and a cell phone charger. If possible, have a family member, friend, or health advisor there to act as your advocate.
5. Talk to your health advisor
An expert health advisor can help you set up a customized emergency plan that includes everything listed above and addresses your family’s specific needs.
In an emergency, a health advisor provides essential guidance
Some people don’t think they need a health advisor because they have a concierge doctor. In fact, health advisors and concierge doctors serve different purposes. Health advisory is far more comprehensive, and to help people understand that, I like to share examples of my work.
As a health advisor, one of the first steps I take with new clients is to help them set up an emergency plan. If anyone in the family is facing special health challenges, my team will also create an escalation protocol. This protocol includes all the information we need to provide the highest level of support in an emergency.
The name and personal details in the following example have been changed, but this is a true story about a woman who needed our help in an emergency.
Lorraine, 74, lives in Miami with a live-in aide. She has diabetes and heart disease, is almost completely blind, and has trouble hearing. Better Health Advisors coordinates her health care with her large medical team and collaborates with her financial advisors to plan for the cost of long-term care.
One evening a few months ago, Lorraine slipped while getting out of the shower. She fell, hitting her head on the tile floor. She could move, but her forehead and face were bleeding. Her aide called 911 – and then called us.
Because we had a detailed emergency plan and escalation protocol in place for Lorraine, our team was ready to take immediate action. We recommended that she go to a particular emergency room. Before she arrived, we spoke with the charge nurse and attending physician to let them know she was on the way. We related critical health information, including her medications, medical history, and team of doctors. We also sent a private duty nurse to the ER to be at Lorraine’s side.
Over the next several hours, as Lorraine received treatment, we updated her family and her external doctors. We connected her primary care physician directly to the hospital physicians to help her get the best possible care.
Even in an emergency, everything went smoothly because she had a plan in place – and three health advisors working in unison to support her. When Lorraine was discharged, we coordinated the next steps. We arranged for follow-up care in her home, scheduled an appointment with a plastic surgeon, and arranged for a dermatology consultation. Our close relationships with Lorraine’s medical team and her family allowed us to provide an unmatched level of personalized service.
If you need support navigating the healthcare system, whether for yourself or a loved one, don’t hesitate to reach out. Put a plan in place now – before an emergency arises.
John Samuels is founder and CEO of Better Health Advisors, an independent healthcare advisory practice based out of New York City. John served as a senior healthcare leader in New York City’s top hospitals for over 20 years. He uses his extensive healthcare experience and wide network of medical professionals to achieve the best possible care for clients nationwide. He was recently honored by Forbes as one of the Next 1000 entrepreneurs and business leaders who are changing how businesses are run.
To learn more about what Better Health Advisors can do for you, your family, or your company, visit our website, email [email protected], or call (646) 883-9717.
Read more articles by John Samuels
Advisor Perspectives welcomes guest contributions. The views presented here do not necessarily represent those of Advisor Perspectives.
