Fundamentals of the U.S. Health Care System

HLT POL X 407.1

This initial course in the Patient Advocacy Certificate provides you with an overview of the dynamic and complex U.S. health care system while helping you understand various consumer and provider perspectives.

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What you can learn.

Gain knowledge on the impacts of events and decisions on the health care system
Translate patient needs into high quality-care
Explain to patients and providers important components of insurance plans
Assist patients in making provider, insurance, and care decisions based on quality measures

About this course:

This initial course in the Patient Advocacy Certificate provides an overview of the health care system. Topics include health care reform; system components; how we pay for health care; how health care is delivered; consumer and provider perspectives; and emerging health care issues in the 21st century, including quality measurement, patient safety, and technology. Students receive a foundation for understanding health care delivery systems and health insurance policies, benefits, and costs in order to assist patients and providers in navigating the intense, dynamic, and complex U.S. health care system.