Why Choosing a Healthcare Provider is No Different Than Choosing a College

​Working with adolescents, I often have conversations with them and their parents about college. I always love hearing why they like certain schools – rarely is “price” one of those reasons.

Does price matter?

Of course!

As someone who spent 9 years in school, I certainly understand that price matters. Is it the only thing that matters?

I doubt it.

Picture this… You’re driving to a college campus for a tour with your 17 year old daughter. You’re both excited about the possibilities and maybe a little nervous about the unknown. You eat at the dining hall, meet a few professors and current students, and go to a football game. The school seems to have everything – it checks all the boxes but leaves you feeling uninspired. As you get back into the car to drive home, you look at each other with a mutual “Meh.”

Now imagine this… You tour another college campus and do all of the same things. It also checks all of the boxes, but this school gives you that gut feeling – the one you can’t explain – that this is exactly where she’s meant to be. You see your daughter’s eyes light up when she gives you the “This is the one” look. All you’ve ever wanted was for her to be happy – and she’s beaming. Before you drive home, you go to the bookstore and buy the school t-shirt and pennant – you’ve both already decided this is the right fit. You take pictures of her with her new gear to share with family and friends because you’re both so excited about your choice and what’s to come.

When choosing a college, the overall experience, potential opportunities, and that unexplainable gut feeling likely play into your decision. Would you choose a school based on price alone before you know anything else about it?

I doubt it.

However, for many families, a semester’s tuition is not in their usual budget. Parents often look at the price tag and think, “I don’t know how we’re going to pay for that, but we’ll figure it out.” They get creative to “find” the money because they believe that education is important and they are confident that this school is the right choice for their child.

Education is an investment in the future.

So is healthcare.

Choosing a provider based solely on price is looking at healthcare as a cost rather than an investment. Don’t you want to know more than just the price? Just like choosing a college, doesn’t the experience, potential outcome, and gut feeling matter?

You and your child deserve a healthcare experience filled with as much support and joy as choosing a college.

Find the provider who will talk with you about your concerns and what you’re looking for.

Get a sense of what’s possible by working together.

Feel that connection where they somehow just totally get you AND your child.

Go with your gut instinct of “This is the right choice for us.”

Feel confident that you have made the decision that is right for your family – ALL things considered.