Organize + Energize: 5 Ways To Organize Your Health Records

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Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Kristin MacRae, GoLocalWorcester Organizing Expert

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, it isn’t really efficient. Develop a working filing system going forward. Set up hanging 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 is supposed to be.

Here are 5 tips to get you on your way to having organized medical files.

Grab all your medical files and bring them to a table.

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
• Insurance information
• Family member’s information
• Medication information

 

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. Shred anything that you know you will not need to refer to going forward.

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.

Going forward you will 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 in the home, you can immediately file it. When you need to refer to a piece of medical information, it will be at your fingertips.

If you read my column each week and follow the tips that I provide, you should be one step closer to having an organized home. You will start reaping the benefits of being organized. Save money, have more free time, less stress, more energy and you will be more efficient and productive.

 

Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, the founder and owner of Organizing in RI, has always enjoyed finding creative ways to streamline the environment around her. Kristin has appeared on air on www.talkstreamradio.com and Patricia Raskin's Positive Business Radio. Her articles have been published in the Rhode Island Small Business Journal and New England Home Life. Her CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to start and is available at the locations listed here. She is also available for organizing workshops.

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