Medical Records 101

Medical records serve a variety of purposes, each of which can be important to your health and financial well-being.

Your records provide:

• A history for the doctor to review before each visit to recall your medical history and other factors in your life that can affect your health.
• A basis for the planning of your future care and treatment.
• A means of communication for the many health professionals who contribute to your care, including people who are seeing you for the first time and who may be unaware of an error.
• Documentation for legal purposes of the care you have received.
• Verification of services and treatment with regard to medical billing and payment for your care. Medical notes that are inaccurate or incomplete can allow an insurer to avoid responsibility.
• An important factor in determining whether you obtain life and/or disability income insurance, whether you qualify for government benefits such as Social Security Disability, or qualify for selling your life insurance policy in a Viatical Settlement and how much you will obtain for it on a sale.
• Better continuity of care when a copy of your records is provided to a new doctor, when traveling, moving, or in the event of an emergency.
• Once you allow their release, medical records also disclose your health condition and treatment to employers and insurance companies.

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