Is There A Medical Record Keeper In The House?
Thursday, July 29th 2010 @ 11:16 PM
Is There A Medical Record Keeper In The House? by Ann Gambrell
Creative Time Plus
It will soon be back to school time and a good time for getting the family medical records and health insurance paperwork in shape. If you had trouble locating your child's immunization records for school last year, or can't find the insurance benefits booklet, take a deep breath, relax and read on.
There are two main areas of medical record keeping.
1. Personal Medical Records and Medical Insurance Information.
Articles on health & medical problems or treatments, clipped from magazines, picked up at your local pharmacy or downloaded from a health web site can be filed under Health Information. Try not to “save” too much here as information is constantly updated. Your computer will keep you updated. You might store helpful websites here…. or create a computer file.
2. Next, the Medical Insurance Information section of your files should contain your family’s medical, dental and vision insurance policies and the accompanying claim forms, benefits booklets, physicians directory, etc. Settled claims are filed here in a separate folder. Keep handy for future reference as needed. Active claims and paperwork should be filed in a separate category until settled. When updated information is received from your insurance company regarding new benefits and coverage, be sure to discard the outdated booklets. Keep a separate file folder for each insurance company and their paperwork. EG: Dental, Medical, vision, etc.
The second category of record keeping is Personal Medical Records where file folders, labeled with the first name of each family member, contain their personal medical data. Information includes records of immunizations, physical exams, lab results, pap smears, mammograms, dental records, allergies, etc., for future reference. If anyone in the family takes a number of medications...make a list and have photocopies available for medical or hospital visits. It helps to make the “updated medical information” portion of your medical appointment go easier and smoother. The information will be easily accessible and could prove to be very helpful. You might also consider giving a list to your dentist, gynecologist and others who did not order these prescriptions. Their treatment may differ after having this information. You can also keep a small print version in your wallet for emergency use.
Birth, death and adoption certificates should be kept in a separate folder labeled Special Records.... or you may choose to keep the original copies in a bank safe deposit box.
Oh, and don't forget a file for your household pets, which could include immunizations & other veterinary records, animal licensing paperwork, boarding or pet sitter information and any other record keeping.
Having these files handy will save much time, energy and stress….and possibly money.
© Ann Gambrell July 2010
Editor's Note: Ann Gambrell is an organizational consultant and speaker available to inform and entertain audiences. She facilitates weekday and Saturday Clutter Support Groups and teaches organizing classes through the Torrance Adult School. To learn more, phone Ann at 310-212-0917 or request her for FREE monthly email tips email gambrellann@aol.com. You will be glad you did!
Not another list?
Sunday, July 18th 2010 @ 3:28 PM
Not another list? by Ann Gambrell
Making lists can be key in getting organized. However, lists do not make you organized. Creating a list is one thing…working the list is another. Save time and frustration by learning to make a WORKABLE list!
So get out your yellow pad, note book, clipboard, computer or electronic organizer and let’s make a list that works….one that you can MAKE work!
1. Create a master list. This is what I call “draining the brain”. That is, getting all the ideas, thoughts and projects out of your head and on to a list. Lists in your head have no particular order of importance. Everything seems “important.” This list can “free up” your mind and allow you to actually see it and deal with the reality of it all.
This list is ongoing, in which you add projects, obligations, etc. to it on a regular basis. Keep the list handy and visible, either on a clipboard or reminder in your computer. Make time once a week, or anytime things seem to be piling up, to add what's on your mind to the list. Again…"draining the brain". Getting it on the list makes it easier to deal with, to say nothing of what it can do to reduce some of your stress.
2. Prioritize the list according to:
#1. MUST DO
#2. SHOULD DO
#3. NICE TO DO
Each item should have a 1, 2, or 3, beside it.
The #1’s, Must Do, items relate to those things with urgency….EG: Having a deadline, responsibility or commitment within a certain timetable.
The #2’s, Should Do, are those items that could be put off for a time if necessary. However, if you find that you are putting them off too frequently, you might consider moving the item to a #1 spot or delegate it to someone else or eliminate it.
The 3’s, Nice To Do, are those “desires” on the list that would be fun or interesting but more of a want than a need and may be pushed up to a # 1 or # 2 spot to be completed. Or, you may decide to drop them from the list, due to lack of interest, finances or as other circumstances may dictate.
3. Calendar the prioritized items and apply them to your weekly schedule, placing them as time and necessity dictate. Doing this is what makes the list workable. Thus allowing you to stay focused throughout the day, knowing you have fit these goals into your day’s schedule. Make it a “date” or appointment with yourself. As you complete each day's tasks or errands, cross them off the daily list (and the Master List) and proceed with the next day’s list…taking from your Master List.
Time the items on the daily or weekly lists. To make the list workable and realistic, it is necessary to estimate how long you think each listed item will take to accomplish. Will it take a week, a day, 2 hours, 20 minutes, etc.? Jot that time at the side of each item. Total the times to see if you have planned/allowed enough time in your day to complete your daily list. This will help to make the list realistic. You will see that some items may need to be broken into smaller segments done at regular intervals. EG: Fifteen minutes a day, etc. Working the item into segments will get it done in time.
When you are unable to complete an item on the list you can decide to either transfer it to the next day, perhaps changing it's priority, or deciding to delegate it, reschedule it or eliminate it….at least for now.
Remember to include some pleasure or leisure activities as well. EG: Lunch with a friend, a manicure, a movie, etc. Other lists, made workable, might include vacation planning, remodeling, change in your wardrobe, a meeting or conference, travel packing, camping, planning a party, de-cluttering, and more. Again getting your ideas/goals out of your head and making a plan to get them done!
Your obligations and activities will go so much more smoothly and with less hassle and stress when you make a workable list. Get started now!
© Ann Gambrell July 2010
Editor's Note: Ann Gambrell is an organizational consultant and speaker available to inform and entertain audiences. She facilitates weekday and Saturday Clutter Support Groups and teaches organizing classes through the Torrance Adult School. To learn more, phone Ann at 310-212-0917 or request her for FREE monthly email tips email gambrellann@aol.com. You will be glad you did!
