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Coming Up This Month...
Organizing for That Which We Don't Want: The Medical Emergency
If you haven't faced it yet, chances are good that at some point in your life cycle you will have to deal with a medical crisis of one sort or another. An aging parent may take a fall, or your spouse may require emergency surgery. These are not things we want to think about, but having an organized system - a go-to spot - for all of your medical information (prescriptions, co-pay amounts, insurance forms, lab results, etc) may make all the difference in the world should calamity strike.
If you are one who is at least somewhat organized, use the tips below by creating a file system for easy access to all of your records. Creative right-brained people may want to organize the information in a box, or hole-punch all the paperwork to fit inside a 3-inch 3-ring binder. Regardless of how you process information, you want to create space you're your information that falls under the category of "Medical."
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of creating a clear path toward your right to speak on behalf of your partner whether or not you are legally married. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA) has strict privacy and security rules to ensure patients' rights and includes legal definitions for who is and is not a family member who may speak on your behalf.
Regardless of who your partner might be, whether same sex or other, once you move in with the person of your dreams, your next action should be a visit to your legal advisor to create the necessary documents to ensure your access to and decision-making for your loved one should the time arise.
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Top 10 Tips: Organizing Medical Information
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1. Gather all your medical information into one organized labeled binder or filing system. Some useful information to file include:
- Health insurance cards, Medicare cards
- A list of medications (including dosage, frequency, date started/stopped)
- Medical history
- All of your emergency contacts (their relationship to you, address, phone number, workplace, etc.)
- Immunizations
- Allergies and blood type
- A sheet to record the date of doctor/dental visits and any tests performed
- A sheet of diagnosis' and the dates (blood pressure readings, cholesterol, blood sugar levels, symptoms)
- A copy of a health care proxy, advanced directives and living will
- A power-of-attorney for health care
2. Regularly update emergency contacts. Also ensure your power-of-attorney, health care proxy, advanced directives, and living will are up to date. Clearly label this information.
3. Create a section for medical bills from providers, labs, and hospitals.
4. Keep a log of Insurance claims you file with the insurance company and insurance claims that have been paid by your insurance company.
5. Create a separate section for financial paperwork, including medical bills you have paid. Include a section for out-of-pocket expenses and for mileage.
6. Keep prescription drug information - past and current - in one section.
7. Keep records of all medical testing such as lab, x-ray, and scan results.
8. Have a section for hospital discharge orders/documents.
9. Keep a calendar in one section of the binder to record all appointments.
10. Clearly label all information, files, and folders. The goal: to find what you need when you need it. There's nothing like being organized in the event of a medical emergency.
Bonus: MRIs are usually available on a CD for an additional cost.
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