Hello, fellow teacher!

Great ideas from the other folks! I can only add a few ideas:

1. Print another paper copy of the report from the scan, and fold it up and insert it into the CD holder with the actual hard copy of the scan. Take them to the doctor appointment.

2. Have a truly simple, back-up organizational plan in case you start to feel so sick that you can't keep up with your "real" plan for a period of time.
I keep color-coded plastic baskets: red for urgent; green for money related papers; blue for Blue Cross insurance; pink for gynecology/mammograms, etc. When I feel okay, I try to file the items in the basket.

Just like in our classrooms, if the system is too complicated, then it won't be helpful/time-efficient/used.

I mostly keep paper records. It's too hard and too time-consuming for me to do both paper and computer.

3. Keep a separate medical calendar with doctor, procedure, location, reason, status (paper work pending/ paperwork completed) and (results pending/ results returned). Sometimes I jot down symptoms in pencil. I color code my appointments: red for appointments; green for treatments; blue for scans. I am very visual.

4. My insurance was complicated- referrals, pre-authorizations, capitations, and more. I made a tracking sheet master and printed one for every procedure. As the tasks were accomplished, I checked them off on the sheet. When all the paperwork was in order, I marked it in my calendar, so I knew beforehand that billing should be in order. Some scans can be really, really expensive if you don't follow the insurance rules.

Do what you can to stay organized, but remember that you are paying for the doctor's office staff, too, and they are supposed to keep on top of your records and insurance. Some of them are pretty good but not all. The patient portals can be helpful, if they are up-to-date.

See if you can get someone else to be in charge of the money and bills and insurance. If they can't be "in charge," then maybe they can learn your organizational system and help with clerical duties.

Good luck in your journey!