Organize + Energize: Organize Your Medical Files in 5 Easy Steps
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
October is Organize Your Medical Files Month. Are your personal medical files organized? Can you find something when you are searching for it or do you waste time, get frustrated and give up? You may have different types of medical information, but if it is just thrown into one folder labeled medical or thrown into a pile, it isn’t really efficient.
Develop a working filing system going forward. Set up files for each category of information that you have. You can keep them in a file drawer or keep them contained in a portable file box. Choose which system fits for you and your family. Next time you go to search for a receipt or insurance payment, it will be exactly where it’s supposed to be.
Here are 5 tips to get you on your way:
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTGrab all your medical files and bring them to a cleared flat surface. Just like any other organizing project, you won’t know what you have unless you take everything out of the file.
Start sorting and categorizing. Think about the categories of information that you have. You may have:
- Medical Receipts
- Explanation of Benefits
- Lab work/Test Results
- Insurance Information
- Family member’s information
- Medication information
- Don’t forget your pets
Shred anything that is no longer useful to you. There may be papers that you thought you might have needed just in case, but now you no longer need them.
Create hanging files for each of the categories. If want to break out the categories, you can also create manila folders labeled within the green hanging files.
To locate files quickly, file in alphabetical order. It will be easier to locate a file if it is in alphabetical order as opposed to having your eye wander to try and find a folder.
This may seem like a daunting task to some, but you’ll waste more time and mental energy stressing about it. Going forward you’ll be able to know exactly where medical information gets filed when it arrives in the home. The piles won’t form and as soon as it arrives, you can immediately file it. When you need to refer to a piece of medical information, it will be at your fingertips.
Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, is an organizing & efficiency expert and owner of Organizing in RI. Kristin teaches her clients that living an organized lifestyle will save them time and money, decrease their stress levels and help them become more efficient and productive. Her articles have been published in local and national magazines. Kristin's CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to begin. She is also available for organizing workshops.
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