Since When Is There No Room for Improvement?
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
United States
December 27, 2015 10:29am CST
My HMO sends out emails every once in a while. They often include little tidbits of information about how to improve our health. Often they are lifestyle choices, preventative medical tests or vaccinations. I received one that looked interesting when I was vacationing in Key West. I didn’t open the email until this morning.
What I found was a very large questionnaire about everything from test results to eating habits. After spending quite some time going through it all, an assessment was made. After reading all of the various parts, and seeing how they compared my habits, health, etc. with the ideal, I looked for the “Action Plan”.
I like getting personalized suggestions from experts. This way I can pick something and focus a little time or effort on improving. But there was no Action Plan included for me. I looked again until I came across a little phrase. “You are doing so well, that we cannot provide an action plan for you.”
I guess this is good news, but it is a little disconcerting. Is this the best it can get? What do you think? Is there always room for improvement in health, lifestyle, exercise, stress management, etc.?
24 people like this
23 responses
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
27 Dec 15
sounds like they have a limited range of life and health improving courses of action and none are suitable for you - it's not that no one could help you out - just that they can't.
5 people like this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
30 Dec 15
@ElizabethWallace hopefully they'll be able to help you out yet - don't give up
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
31 Dec 15
@arthurchappell I have been seeing a physical therapist for my recent injuries. Maybe he can give me some advice.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
27 Dec 15
They have many different courses of action, but I have been following them for years. I guess I have reached their prescribed level if wellness in each area. My personal standards, however, are higher.
I would love to be more "robust" in my fitness level and have more stamina.
4 people like this
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
27 Dec 15
@ElizabethWallace It could work the other way.l
.
.2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
27 Dec 15
Okay, but I figure that knowledge is power. The more I know, the better I will feel.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
28 Dec 15
@jaboUK Anything is possible, but I think we are all going to live longer and healthier lives when we know what is good for us and what we should avoid.
2 people like this
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
27 Dec 15
I believe that no-one is perfect and that there is always room for improvement in every sphere. I would have been disappointed after compiling all of that only to find that was all they could tell you 
Hope you had a lovely Chrsitmas and best wishes for a Happy New Year!
Hope you had a lovely Chrsitmas and best wishes for a Happy New Year! 3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
27 Dec 15
I sure was. It took a long time, pity they could not find anything. But the news could have been bad, so that's good.
Happy New Year to you too!
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
27 Dec 15
Probably, but the program did not pinpoint anything for me. Sigh.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
28 Dec 15
I guess there is nothing that sticks out to them.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
27 Dec 15
Sorry, thought this one was well-known. Although it means Health Maintenance Organization, no one thinks of them that way. It is a type of medical insurance in which the organization provides all your medical needs in one place. Mine is named Kaiser Permanente.
1 person likes this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
27 Dec 15
@ElizabethWallace I was going to ask the same. I had a suspicion it was something medical.
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
28 Dec 15
@boiboing Yes, it is one of two types of medical insurance. The other is PPO. Preferred Provider Organization. They have more flexibility in which doctor you may see, but you have to get permission from the organization and jump through hoops to receive care.
1 person likes this
@wiLLmaH (8801)
• Singapore, Singapore
29 Dec 15
@ElizabethWallace Oh maybe you must said that exact words to your physician. Gosh! I feel that you are perfectionist. Am I wrong?
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
28 Dec 15
@wiLLmaH I eat just fine. My exercise routine works. I need to work out longer and walk longer. But without an indication of how much more I need to do, I find little motivation, since I do not enjoy the process.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
28 Dec 15
Well I guess in your case that would be big old no. lol
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
28 Dec 15
@ElizabethWallace Do they offer help so specific? Did you check their website for info on those areas, maybe it is available to you.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
29 Dec 15
@BelleStarr Yes, they are usually very specific. I think I'll ask my physical therapist the next time I see him.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
28 Dec 15
Right, but that was not the answer that I wanted. I wanted a direction at least in how to improve. I would like more stamina and less pain.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (49252)
• United States
28 Dec 15
I think that there is always room for improvement.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
28 Dec 15
Me too, but the computer program does not agree. Bummer.
1 person likes this
@softbabe44 (5816)
• Vancouver, Washington
28 Dec 15
That sounds really good that is worth celebrating.
1 person likes this
@softbabe44 (5816)
• Vancouver, Washington
28 Dec 15
@ElizabethWallace I can see why it would feel like getting ercked.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
28 Dec 15
Your attitude is probably the correct one. My reaction was to get ticked off. Funny.
1 person likes this
@gr8nana6 (6614)
• Conyers, Georgia
28 Dec 15
There is always room for improvement. I hate filling out all those questionnaires @ElizabethWallace
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
29 Dec 15
I don't mind the forms, as long as I get useful information at the end.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
28 Dec 15
Sorry I did not know what HMO is. The questionnaire that you answered probably means they are not going to make much money out of you! Not a bad thing by any means but I guess they were rather hoping they could sell you some advice on how to improve your health and wellbeing.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
28 Dec 15
Actually they make money if they keep me healthy. They make less money if I get sick or injured. That is how a HMO (medical insurance) works. The other type of insurance (PPO) makes money if you are sick and they treat you.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
28 Dec 15
@ElizabethWallace OK thanks for the explanation.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40091)
• Laguna Woods, California
29 Dec 15
I agree that there is always room for improvement. One way I could improve is to actually complete those questionnaires that get emailed to me! Good for you! 
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
29 Dec 15
Yours are mailed? You can go paperless and get them in an email, if you like. I don't get paper from KP anymore, which is how I like it.
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
28 Dec 15
Thanks. My sister mentioned that she thought I like to exercise. Nope. I dislike it very much, but I like the benefits of working out and walking.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
27 Dec 15
I would never have filled out the questionnaire, even if I were doing all the recommended things. I consider it an invasion of privacy. I don't really want my health insurance asking me what I do and eat all day long. My sister would fill it out, but I would throw it away. But your name is probably on a list of their favorite customers.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
27 Dec 15
The policy of these guys is to help us stay healthy. It isn't like most insurance companies. They make more money when we are healthy, and not the opposite. The doctors own the company and make the decisions. I have used their services for over 40 years. They rant five stars in California, the only company that does.
@changjiangzhibin89 (16556)
• China
28 Dec 15
They seemed to be unable to provide anything that is helpful to you .They just put you off by saying that .But then ,sometimes if you do as they say,you will find out what they say isn't suitable for you .
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
28 Dec 15
The advice is tailored to the individual, and they have all my medical records. So what they say is suitable. But this news was annoying.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
28 Dec 15
So cute. Sounds like a good idea.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23675)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
28 Dec 15
We don't need to be told what to do--we already know that!
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
28 Dec 15
Mostly I agree with you, but I would like specific advice as to how to improve my stamina without causing pain.
@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
28 Dec 15
@ElizabethWallace . I think that you are indeed following such a healthy lifestyle that they feel there is not much more advice they can give, and that is a good thing. Though I suppose there is always more tips out there for a healthier lifestyle.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
28 Dec 15
I would like advice how to improve my stamina without causing pain in my joints.
1 person likes this
@whiteream (8567)
• United States
31 Dec 15
Sounds like you are doing all the right things. But you would think they would give you a couple of ideas on how to improve. I guess, you are perfect.
