Tips on making a medical records folder

I struggled too. Eventually I organized all paperwork into two binders. One says blood work where I print and hole punch and put all my blood tests. The other binder is divided into sections: visit reports, AFB, respiratory culture, fungal culture, CTs, chest X-rays, PFT and other tests. Probably it could be better but at least I know now what I have, can compare results and look at the right place. That other binder is already thick. I hope it gives you an idea.

I bought an expandable file folder with a half-dozen sections. Then put different colored folders in the sections. I had to trim the folders a bit to get them in and out easily. It's working well so far, and I am feeling calmer knowing where everything is.

I have a complicated clinical profile, so I write up a summary for the doctor when I have an appointment. I organize as follows:
1) General Status - how I am feeling, symptoms, etc. I include prescriptions and their purpose.
2) Status for each medical condition, including results of any tests, comments from other specialists, next scheduled tests, visits for that condition
3) Questions for the doctor of the moment.
4) I also utilize the MyChart function to compare test results over time and print it out.
5) I make a list of all my tests with dates of when performed so they know what is available

Technology is there to help the doctor understand the patient. I would not be happy with a doctor who did not look at my previous reports. These are now available, and Doctor can usually see other organizations

I just upload things to my webpage. Is there a privacy risk , when
you are retired ? The more people see it, the better the chance
that someone has a useful suggestion.
I struggled with all the updates to my symptoms file

I download all my chart results, notes,visits,etc to .pdf files and offer a memory stick to practitioners in place of reams of paper. They are in folders based on test results, primary care and body part(s) or specialist. I carefully rename each file to clearly note the date and topic.
If I get paper records, I scan them, save as .pdf's and do the same. I also keep a file in another folder listing all current and past medications-I use a spreadsheet, list med by generic and brand name, purpose, when and by whom prescribed, dosages, any reactions, when stopped... I include all OTC and supplements too.
Everything fits on a memory stick , is easily updated, and I can give it to any clinician and make a new one for under $5. NO PAPER, NO FILING,EASY!

I store all insurance and Medicare claims and doctor bills in another set of folders, but do not share on memory stick. And if I have any disputes, I can keep a word file of all contacts there too

Yes so far my only issue has been doctors who are not on Epic. When they order my blood tests it only goes to Quest, the Dr & myself. All of my doctors who are on Epic have the results show up in MyChart and I like how it shows trends over time. Quest said that there's no way to add results if the prescribing doctor doesn't use Epic.