It’s time to save a tree

I went to the doctor today and decided it was definitely time for him to save a tree.

The amount of paperwork it takes to process a patient is almost sinful. And the time it takes is wasteful — for the patient and the staff.

I’m sure you and your staff can relate to my experience:

When I arrived at the reception desk, I had to manually sign a piece of paper. The clerk then pulled my file, which she had earlier retrieved from the file room when I made my appointment.

She asked if my insurance coverage had changed. When I replied “yes,” she took my insurance card and driver’s license and made copies of them.

She then handed me two sheets of paper. One to update my insurance information; the other to update my medical history.

When I looked at the insurance sheet, I wondered why I had to complete the form, since I had to copy the information from my insurance card, which was now included in my folder.

Then I started on my medical history. This form did not ask what had changed from the last time I had seen the doctor. Instead, it asked for a complete history.

Because I have had a few medical procedures over the last 40 or more years, I had a hard time remembering what had been done and when it had been done. I’m sure if the doctor (or clerk) were to compare the history I gave today with the one I completed last time I was in, they would find a number of discrepancies.

After the exam, I wrote a check for my co-pay, waited for a paper receipt, and wondered if my new insurer would be billed. (The last time I visited my internist, despite updating my file, the clerk billed the wrong company and it took four months for the doctor to get paid.)

As a patient, I’m tired of filling out redundant paperwork. I want my files updated, and this can be done easier and faster with the technology available today.

This issue of Chiropractic Economics focuses on all aspects of office technology. I hope you get inspired and decide to save a tree.

Until next time,

Linda Segall, Editor-in-Chief