What Is Important About Patient Information Sheets
WHAT IS IMPORTANT ABOUT PATIENT INFORMATION SHEETS?
Have you ever been to the doctor and wondered, “Why do I have to fill out all these forms?” or “Do they really need to know all this information?” The answer to those questions is YES. There are many components to the information sheet that contain pertinent information for the physician and staff of the medical office. Therefore, there are many reasons why these sheets are so important. However, not all information sheets are the same and some may contain different information based on or according to the type of practice.
One of the first components on these sheets is the patient address and telephone information. It is important to have this information and make sure that it is kept up-to-date so that if the office needs to get a hold of you for any reason, such as: being scheduled for a test, then they have all of the correct information to do so. Also included in this portion can be an emergency contact, just in case they cannot reach you.
The next important component is insurance information. It is also important to keep this information up-to-date so that the facility can properly bill the right insurance, if you have insurance, and process the correct co-pay amount if you have one. If you should happen to change jobs and your health insurance company or coverage changes this should be changed on your form on your next visit. Also in this area of the sheet, there is a section where you will record secondary insurance coverage if you have a spouse or parent that may still have coverage for you. Again, this will be extremely helpful to the billing staff of the facility.
Some information sheets will also include a medical history of some sort. Some are very extensive and want to know absolutely everything. I received two separate information “packets” from two different practices. Neither one of them is very extensive in what information they want for your medical history, listing only
Have you ever been to the doctor and wondered, “Why do I have to fill out all these forms?” or “Do they really need to know all this information?” The answer to those questions is YES. There are many components to the information sheet that contain pertinent information for the physician and staff of the medical office. Therefore, there are many reasons why these sheets are so important. However, not all information sheets are the same and some may contain different information based on or according to the type of practice.
One of the first components on these sheets is the patient address and telephone information. It is important to have this information and make sure that it is kept up-to-date so that if the office needs to get a hold of you for any reason, such as: being scheduled for a test, then they have all of the correct information to do so. Also included in this portion can be an emergency contact, just in case they cannot reach you.
The next important component is insurance information. It is also important to keep this information up-to-date so that the facility can properly bill the right insurance, if you have insurance, and process the correct co-pay amount if you have one. If you should happen to change jobs and your health insurance company or coverage changes this should be changed on your form on your next visit. Also in this area of the sheet, there is a section where you will record secondary insurance coverage if you have a spouse or parent that may still have coverage for you. Again, this will be extremely helpful to the billing staff of the facility.
Some information sheets will also include a medical history of some sort. Some are very extensive and want to know absolutely everything. I received two separate information “packets” from two different practices. Neither one of them is very extensive in what information they want for your medical history, listing only