Healthcare is a system—a big, outdated, and intimidating one. It often feels like the care you need is just out of reach like the solution is one test, one medication, or one procedure away. And yeah, it's frustrating, because The System is tough to navigate. Let's face it: Nobody has ever taught us how this stuff works.

But what if they had? What if we knew how to make healthcare work for us? I believe that could be the beginning of a journey toward real wellness. When we understand The System, we can use it to our advantage. Healthcare is built on three key pillars—patients, providers, and insurance. Get a handle on these, and you're on the way to getting more from healthcare and making it work for you.

Patients

This is the most important thing you’ll read in this post: YOU, the patient, are the single most important part of The System. Don’t forget it.

Early in my career, a physician asked me, “What do you think is the most important part of healthcare?” I figured, obviously, it’s the doctors, right? They’re the ones who make everything work. When I gave her that answer, she got serious. “Patients are the most important part of everything we do. They’re the reason we’re here. Always make them your top priority.” That lesson stuck with me—and she’s still one of the best physicians I’ve ever met.

So, let me tell you again: You are the cornerstone of healthcare. The whole system exists to help you get well. Want the best care? Find providers, insurers, and health systems that know patients are the heart of healthcare. You deserve to be treated like the most important part of the process—because you are. That is how you start to make The System work for you.

Providers

These are the folks—physicians and advanced practice professionals (APPs)—who help you make decisions about your health. Physicians, whether they’re Medical Doctors (MDs) or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs), are like the head coaches of your healthcare team. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) are your assistant coaches, working alongside you to help keep your health on track.

These providers aren't just here to give orders—they're here to be your advisors, cheerleaders, and teammates on your wellness journey. The best ones act as mentors and friends, helping you make the smartest decisions for your care. And trust me, you want those types of people on your team. In my personal and professional experience, the best providers have always been the ones who come alongside patients and meet them where they are at. They help us understand parts of our health that we never could on our own. These are the providers you want: the ones who prioritize your wellness, educate you and work with you.

Find a provider you trust, who’s invested in your wellness journey, and you’ll get a lot more out of The System.

Payors

I’ve got a real love-hate relationship with payors AKA insurance. On one hand, it’s great because it can keep you from falling into serious financial debt when health issues pop up. On the other hand, some of these insurance companies will do everything in their power to avoid paying for your care. Like it or not, they’re a necessary evil in The System.

It’s crucial to understand how insurance works. We’ll dive deeper in a full post, but here’s the gist. Healthcare is expensive, and no matter what insurance plan you have, you’re going to be paying a good chunk of change out of pocket. Copays, deductibles, premiums, coinsurance—it all adds up. And don’t forget, you need to check if your provider is “in-network,” meaning they’ve partnered with your insurance company. If they’re “out of network,” guess what? You’re paying extra to see them. Oh, and before you get any procedures done, make sure they’re “prior authorized”— healthcare speak for your provider asking the insurance company for permission to treat you.

Understanding these 3 Ps gives you tools to make The System work for you. Yeah, The System is big, outdated, and a pain to deal with, but here’s the thing: it’s been running the same playbook for a long time. That means if you know what to expect, you can learn how to prepare.

At Layman’s Guide to Health Care, we’re here to help you navigate not just The System but your entire health and wellness journey. We’re not your typical wellness company—we’re not interested in pushing the latest diet or exercise fad. We’re a group of people who want to have fun, be useful, and change lives. If that sounds like something that resonates with you, stick around and follow Layman’s Guide to Health Care for more. We post right here once a week at LaymansHC.com.