#medicalchart

I started with a standard binder and organized it how a hospital chart would be organized. It has been so helpful, and every doctor that I visit is grateful to have such an organized record of my medical history. I even take it when I’m traveling, just in case. You have the right to have copies of all medical records and test results, all you have to do is ask for them during your visit. Similarly MRIs and other radiology results can be burned onto a CD for you free of charge. Here is how I organized mine, I hope it inspires you to do something similar!

Front Flap:

A list of all current medications and allergies. For medications include the name, dose, and how often you take it. For allergies record what your reaction to  was (i.e. rash, trouble breathing etc…)

CDs of MRI images

A blank piece of paper and a pen which I use to write down any questions that I don’t want to forget to ask

I also hole punch and keep anything that a doctor puts on a prescription pad

I blurred out the business cards because the only person that gets to stalk my doctors is me!

On the first divider I have business cards for doctors, social workers, etc.. that are involved in my care. When I need to contact someone I never have to search for their contact information, and when I’m in a doctor’s office and they want to send records to another one of my specialists I always have fax numbers right there. You of course can also store this information in your phone, but sometimes I forget the doctor’s name if it’s someone I don’t see very often.

Next I have four sections separated by dividers, these are:

1. Lab and Diagnostic Studies

Recent and abnormal blood work, and any special blood tests like lyme titers

CSF results from your spinal tap- don’t loose these, you do not want to repeat that test!

MRI reports

Evoked Potential reports

Visual test results

2. Progress Notes

Visit notes from doctors, most doctors write their visit notes at the end of the day or after the visit so you may not always have a chance to get copies of these.

3. Hospital Admissions

I keep a record of every hospital admission and any important paperwork from those admissions

4.  Insurance Paperwork and Billing

Copies of bills

Enrollment information for copay assistance programs

Copies of denial/approval letters for tests and medications

Receipts of all copays- can you say tax deduction??

What disease modifying drugs you have been on, the dates, and why you switched off of them. This helps speed up the approval process with your insurance company when switching to a new drug.