Managing Consumer Problems How will you identify potential problems with health care products?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Q. Define the term fraud. Quick Review Provide a short answer to the question given below. Q. Define the term fraud. Click Next to view the answer.

A. Fraud is deliberate deceit or trickery. Quick Review - Answer A. Fraud is deliberate deceit or trickery. Click Next to attempt another question.

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.

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.

Q. When might a person file suit in small claims court? 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.

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.

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.

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. Fraud is deliberate deceit or trickery.

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. Health fraud is the sale of worthless products or services that claim to prevent diseases or cure other health problems. It is also known as quackery.

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. Malpractice is the failure by a health professional to meet accepted standards.

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. Consumer advocates are people or groups whose sole purpose is to take on regional, national, and even international consumer issues.