I’ve never looked into this before, so I can’t provide any information on it. I simply keep a copy of all documents on my computer and then print out a paper version too. I’ve found most doctors want a paper copy to look at during my visits and honestly if I send documentation over before my appointment it never gets read. At least one of my doctors scanned the documents I provided into my digital record at their office. I know because he brought those documents up for review at a later appointment. I also keep a digital copy of some important reports in my email under ‘medical documents’ so I can easily pull them up or email them if a doctor needs to see them. But of course a medical system of record would make this all easier.

Thank you for your comment. I’m so glad that you keep track of your medical records and make a point to check your bills as well. Your point about checking medications is spot on too. I experienced drug induced neuropathy years ago. Despite telling all doctors about it they have prescribed me similar medications that can produce the same side effects. I started one once and immediately felt tingly. Now I know not to take anything unless I research it myself. If I’m scared I call the doctor back and ask for a different medication. One doctor told me I had no other choice, so I saw a different doctor a week later. They said, “that’s just not right. There are plenty of other medications that can help you.” They prescribed a new medication that had no side effects and resolved my issues. Great job advocating for yourself! I hope that others will read your comment and follow your lead.

Thanks for your input. I cannot believe that the medical system still waits for snail mail. It’s sad to think that a report could get finalized before you can compare it to previous images, which may have been lost on their way to you.

We continue to fund our HSA the same way that you do. I feel like the government will eventually shut down the loop hole of allowing withdrawals thirty years into the future for expenses incurred today, but even if that hole gets closed it’s still a good way to protect money for the future.

It would be nice if there was some centralized system that can communicate between any facility in the US but there are so many hurdles to overcome (patient privacy acts/HIPAA etc). Sometimes reading mammograms action is delayed because we are waiting for a facility to send images burned on CD via snail mail (and sometimes they never end up being sent (we have about a 30 day waiting policy before the report becomes finalized with or without use of priors).

I personally try to keep all my medical expenses for my family long term. I have an HSA account and decades from now I can pull money penalty/tax free by providing proof of these expenses being paid out of pocket. That basically makes my HSA a stealth retirement account that is triple tax advantaged (no tax going in, no tax on growth, no tax coming out).

Hi C,

Separate systems and solutions do appear to be the problem. All of my doctors within a certain hospital can share my information, but as soon as they need information from my general practitioner or a medical professional in a different facility everything is lost. When you have complex problems you need the help of many doctors often in different locations. Without a way to share this information we need to retain and distribute it ourselves. If I hadn’t experienced my own medical traumas I would have no idea this was the case.

Oh Jennifer I never expected a Director of Medical Records to read this post, but I am glad you did. I know it sounds strange, but I would be ever so grateful if you would pass this information on to those who might be able to help fix our broken systems. It’s sounds like a lot of progress has been made and attempted, but also that we have a long way to go before we can trust the medical system to promptly share our documents.

I was twenty-seven years old when my medical problems began and at forty-three I can still pick up all of my documents. I cannot imagine older patients or those with severe disabilities who cannot easily drive back and forth to pick up their paperwork.

While we all need to be responsible for obtaining this information ourselves, it would be great if software engineers and medical professionals could continue to strive for better solutions. I know that when the right minds get together a solution will be found!

Thank you for your comment. Very few of us will keep the same set of doctors throughout our lifetimes. It’s really helpful to be able to pass a crib sheet on to future medical professionals. Especially as we age and may be prone to more ailments. I wish you the best of health, so you gather your documents, but never need them.

Hi Ana,

Thank you for leaving a comment. I’m glad you found this post helpful and that you plan to keep a copy of your medical records from now on. I do hope you never have a major medical crisis like I did, but it’s so good to be prepared if you need the paperwork.