Download ch._3-3

Lesson 3
Managing Consumer Problems
How will you identify potential problems with health care
products?
Lesson 3
Lesson Objectives
In this lesson, you’ll learn to:
Identify potential problems with health care products and
services.
Understand how to resolve problems related to health care
products and services.
Explore methods for addressing critical health issues that
result from fraud.
Lesson 3
Problems with Products
When Buying and Returning Products
Find out about a seller’s
return policy before
purchasing a product.
Purchase the product.
Good Product
Defective Product
Return to the store.
Return to the
manufacturer.
Lesson 3
Problems with Products
When Returning a Product
Information in the product warranty will help you determine
which course of action to follow.
Before you attempt to return a product, reread the instructions
to make sure that you are using the product correctly.
Put your reasons for returning the item in a letter and keep a
copy for future reference.
Return the item in its original packaging.
If you are mailing the item, get a shipping receipt to prove that
you sent it.
Lesson 3
Health Fraud
Fraudulent Products
Some individuals and businesses employ fraud to sell defective
products or ineffective services.
Several types of products are particularly susceptible to
health fraud:
Weight-loss products claim that a person can lose weight
virtually overnight.
Beauty and anti-aging products may work temporarily, but
none offer permanent results. Products that aren’t approved
by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may harm you.
Lesson 3
Health Fraud
Fraudulent Treatments
Another type of health fraud involves clinics that specialize in
“miracle” cures for ailments.
These methods are ineffective and may even be dangerous.
However, not all clinics offering specialized treatments are
fraudulent.
Check with a health care professional before seeking treatment
at such a clinic.
Lesson 3
Health Fraud
Other Problems with Health Services
Health care professionals can sometimes be negligent or guilty of
malpractice.
To make sure that you are getting the best medical
treatment possible, you can:
Get a second opinion from another health care professional for
any major health concern.
Get help from a regulatory organization such as the American
Medical Association if you have a critical problem with a health
care professional.
Lesson 3
Health Fraud
Methods for Addressing Consumer Problems
If you try to resolve a critical health problem with a product
and are dissatisfied with the result, seek help from:
Business organizations such as the Better Business Bureau
(BBB).
Consumer advocates such as the Consumers Union.
Local, state, and federal government agencies such as the
Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Lesson 3
Quick Review
Provide a short answer to the question given below.
Q. Define the term fraud.
Click Next to view the answer.
Lesson 3
Quick Review - Answer
A. Fraud is deliberate deceit or trickery.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson 3
Quick Review
Provide a short answer to the question given below.
Q. Under what circumstances might you want to seek a
second medical opinion?
Click Next to view the answer.
Lesson 3
Quick Review - Answer
A. You might want to seek a second opinion from another
health care professional for any major health concerns,
such as those involving surgery or other extensive
treatment.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson 3
Quick Review
Provide a short answer to the question given below.
Q. When might a person file suit in small claims court?
Click Next to view the answer.
Lesson 3
Quick Review - Answer
A. A person can file suit in a small claims court only if the
legal dispute involves amounts of money below a certain
limit.
Click Next to attempt another question.
Lesson 3
Quick Review
List the criteria.
List several criteria you would use to distinguish between an
effective complaint against a health care product that didn’t fulfill
its claim and an ineffective complaint.
Lesson 3
Health Fraud
Fraudulent Products
Some individuals and businesses employ fraud to sell defective
products or ineffective services.
Fraudtois
Several types of products are particularly susceptible
deliberate
health fraud:
deceit or
Weight-loss products claim that a persontrickery.
can lose weight
virtually overnight.
Beauty and anti-aging products may work temporarily, but
none offer permanent results. Products that aren’t approved
by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may harm you.
Lesson 3
Health Fraud
Fraudulent Products
Some individuals and businesses employ fraud to sell defective
products or ineffective services.
Several types of products are particularly susceptible to
health fraud:
Health fraud is the
Weight-loss products claim that a person can lose weight
sale of worthless
virtually overnight.
products or services that
claim to
preventmay
diseases
Beauty and anti-aging
products
work temporarily, but
or cure
other Products
health
none offer permanent
results.
that aren’t approved
problems.
It is also (FDA) may harm you.
by the Food and Drug
Administration
known as quackery.
Lesson 3
Health Fraud
Other Problems with Health Services
Health care professionals can sometimes be negligent or guilty of
malpractice.
Malpractice
is
To make sure that
you are getting
the best medical
the failure
a
treatment possible,
youbycan:
health professional
to meet
accepted
Get a second
opinion
from another health care professional for
any majorstandards.
health concern.
Get help from a regulatory organization such as the American
Medical Association if you have a critical problem with a health
care professional.
Lesson 3
Health Fraud
Methods for Addressing Consumer Problems
If you try to resolve a critical health problem with a product
and are dissatisfied with the result, seek help from:
Business organizations such as the Better Business Bureau
(BBB).
Consumer advocates
Consumer advocates such as the Consumers Union.
are people or groups
whose
sole purpose
is to
Local, state, and federal government
agencies
such as
the
take on regional,
Consumer Product Safety Commission.
national, and even
international consumer
issues.