Health Insurance Information

Although no one wants to get sick or go to the doctor all of us will have a health problem at some time or another. It’s important to have a Personal Health Record for each member of your family. You’ll want to take that information with you when seeing a new doctor or even when going to the hospital. This can help medical personnel give better individualized treatment for any health problem that comes up.

Below are five simple steps to help you organize those personal health records so they are easy to find when you need them.

The best way to organize this information is to create a separate file folder for each family member plus a file folder for health insurance information that applies to the whole family. Keep these folders where they are easy to access. All this information can be typed or scanned into your computer if you prefer however be sure to make a couple of back-up copies. You can print out the information when going to the doctor.

Below are the papers to keep in each folder.

Step 1 – Prescription Information

Put the information sheet you received from the pharmacy in that person’s folder. It will be easy to find to look up possible side effects or how to take.

Do not keep the sheets from one time prescriptions once the medicine is no longer needed. The only exception is if the person had an adverse reaction to the medicine. Make a note on the sheet about the reaction and be sure to inform your doctor.

Step 2 – Health Insurance Information

Make a copy of both sides of your current health insurance card to keep in the folder.

If your insurance plan has a different number for each family member make copies of their cards also.

Keep general insurance information you received from your employer or insurance company such as what’s covered, deductible amounts, co-pay amounts, etc. in the general health insurance folder.

Keep a copy of all contact information in case you need to call about a claim. Phone numbers, contact person, website links, etc.

Step 3 – Test Results

Ask your doctor for written results of any routine or other tests taken. It helps to compare from year to year. You have to be your own advocate.
If you go to a new doctor the medical history forms you fill out usually ask for some of this information. See Step 4 on the best way to keep this info.

Step 4 – Medical History Sheet

Keep a written Medical History Sheet for each family member.
On this sheet keep information such as birth dates, blood type, height and weight, and a brief family medical history.
Write down dates of surgeries, procedures, and any medical conditions or major illnesses.
Write down dates and results of tests.

Step 5 – Special Medical Condition Information

Keep any reference material your doctor gives you regarding the condition.
Ask your doctor for reliable websites before printing and saving information off the internet.

There are several different ways to keep this medical information written down. You can write it on a piece of paper or type it on the computer then print it out. There are also forms you can find on the internet to print and fill out. Update these forms anytime you go to the doctor or have a test, or an illness. Be sure to take a copy of the current Personal Health Record with you when you go to the doctor. It will save a lot of time and frustration when filling out their forms.

Don’t wait until you or a family member gets sick to track down all this information. Organize it now and give yourself some peace of mind.

Janice Scissors writes about home organization and decluttering. She has a website and blog filled with tips to cut the clutter out of your home and how to keep it that way. There are also tips to help you stay organized every month of the year.