SeniorNet Your medical records are important.

SeniorNet Your medical records are important.Your medical records are important.
Think about how many doctors you are seeing now and how many you have seen in the past.

Now consider this: Over 80 percent of patient records are still kept on paper inside manila folders in doctor's offices. Physicians are responsible for creating and maintaining records only for the specific portion of care they provide; they are not responsible for consolidating records across all of the patient's current and past health providers. The vast majority of patients see more than one provider, and chances are that their medical records are scattered among the numerous labs, hospitals, and physician offices they have visited over time.

How much effort and how long would it take to collect this important medical information when you need it? Just as you wouldn't hesitate to review and keep a copy of your own financial information, shouldn't managing your health information be just as important?

Who is in control?
YOU…. because your doctors are not responsible for consolidating your medical records from other providers.

Do you request your records when you move or change health plans? Does your primary doctor have copies of your records from specialists or from previous doctors so he/she can know more about the diagnoses, tests, and treatments performed in your past?