Think about all the documents you feel are important enough to file away just in case. This might include warranties, receipts, rebate information or bills. However, one of the most important documents you can have - that many of us don't - are your medical records.
If they're so important, then why don't we have them? Because our doctors do! While it's necessary for your doctor to have a copy of your medical records, that isn't going to do us much good if we end up in the emergency room, or have to visit a doctor while traveling. One solution that's becoming more popular is for patients to have copies of their records so that everything is at their finger tips for their entire family. It's also important to have these documents when you travel, just in case anything should happen.Your medical records will be beneficial for you to have if you ever change physicians, if your physician retires, or if you visit a physician while on vacation, who has no knowledge of your medical history.
Wondering how to start? Begin by contacting your doctor's office or any facility where you or your family members have received treatment. Include eye doctors, dentists, and any specialists you may have seen. Ask for an "authorization for the release of information form." Complete it and return to the office you got it from. Keep in mind that you may be charged a fee for copying and postage.
In addition to your medical record, keep a notebook of everything your doctor tells you each time you visit. If you're keeping records for your entire family, it is recommended to contain them in a 3-ring binder with sections for each member.
