How To Ensure That Your Medical Records Are Accurate

There are many negative consequences to having incorrect information in your medical records. Health and life insurers might charge higher premiums believing you to have a medical condition that you do not have. Until 2014 when coverage cannot be denied for pre-existing conditions, mistakes in your medical chart can lead to denial of claims. If drug allergies are not noted correctly life threatening treatment errors can be made. Lastly, your ability to pursue a full recovery on an injury claim could be compromised if your records suggest a past history of treatment or conditions that is not accurate or complete. One way to make sure your records are accurate is to obtain copies of your records and ask that mistakes be corrected. HIPPA gives every patient the right to obtain their records. The procedure to obtain records and challenge record inaccuracies can be found at http://www.hhs.gov/video/yourhealthyourrights.html. Another way to make sure your records are accurate and relevant to treatment is to not answer irrelevant questions when asked to fill out patient questionnaires. For example, if you see a doctor for stitches after falling, a list of questions pertaining to dental care would seem to be entirely unrelated to care and treatment.