How To Assert Yourself

If you want good health care, or to get what you're entitled to from a health insurer or from an employer, and/or to improve your relationships with friends and family, somebody has to be assertive and speak up about your needs, your understanding of what is happening, and your feelings. Asserting yourself has more chance of success if you keep in mind the other person's needs. When dealing with an entity such as a large insurance company, keep in mind that you are dealing with an individual person who also has feelings.

Being a "good patient" or a "good insured" doesn't always get you what you need. In the medical setting, there is always the possibility (perhaps unlikely, but still there), that you may be misdiagnosed or inadequately treated. In the insurance arena, you may not get what even your doctor believes you're entitled to. Being a "good employee" doesn't get you the accommodation you need, or even that the law may provide for you, to be able to do your work when symptoms crop up or you have to take time off for a treatment.

If you're reading this article, it is likely that being assertive for yourself can be difficult, especially in an arena where you might feel a loss for medical knowledge or regulatory familiarity. There are no magic bullets to change the situation. It's difficult to move into a zone that's not comfortable. But it can be done.

Once you start being assertive, it gets easier over time - although it may not seem like it in the beginning. However, it is important. For instance, studies show that patients get better health care and do better if they are assertive.

Following are tips that have worked for other people: 

• Prepare Before The Meeting Or Phone Conversation.  
• Keep In Mind How Serious The Consequences Can Be.  
• Pretend You Are Speaking On Behalf Of Someone You Usually Care For Who Cannot Speak For Him Or Herself. 
• Be Relaxed And Calm. If You Are Uncomfortable Or Confused, Let The Other Person Know.
• Let The Other Person Know That Asserting Yourself Is Difficult, But That The Subject Is Important And You Appreciate His Or Her Consideration.  
  
• Make The Other Person Human. 
  
• Be assertive, but not aggressive.  
  
• Be Persistent. 
  
• If You Get Overwhelmed, Tell The Person And Set Another Appointment.  
  
• Reward Yourself For Assertive Behavior.  
  
• Consider Assertiveness Training.   

To be sure you understand the current or future conversations, record them (with the permission of the other person).  

NOTE: If you are not comfortable being assertive on your own behalf, ask a friend, family member or a professional to do it for you.

Please share how this information is useful to you. 0 Comments