Insurance Q: "document EVERYTHING" ?

Hi, I’m starting my 3 months multidisciplinary program this month. Several people have been telling me to make sure I “document everything!”

I want to know what this means.

Are there specific things I need to make sure the RD, MD and exercise specialist all document?

Are we talking about more than height and weight here?

Am I supposed to be keeping my own records as well?

If someone could give me some sort of definition for the word, “everything” I’d be much obliged.

Jennifer

 

I'm really not sure what you are supposed to document.  Is your multidisplinary program a supervised weight loss thing?  If so, then I would think that you may need to document daily exercise and food intake. 

I hope you get the answers you are looking for, Jenn!

Jenn, Go out and buy one of those little dated personal journal/planners at Office Depot or the like - or if you already use a planner, time to get serious about using it.  It needs to be something that you obviously use on a day to day basis.  I've seen something like this totally make or break a case! Record daily: 1.  Your weigh and/or BMI 2.  Observations about how your weight is affecting your day to day life (i.e., for me before surgery an entry like, "having another horrible infection under my panni" or "couldn't stand long enough to get the dishes done" or stuff like that) 3.  Keep track of doctor's appointments, etc - recording your B/P (always ask when it gets taken at the doctor's office), what the doctor's scale says your weight is, and your thoughts about the appointment 4.  Any thoughts/reflections that you wouldn't mind an insurance review board reading pertaining to why you feel you need surgery on a given day. 5.  Make reference to stuff you're learning about the different surgical options (along with citing sources) and what you feel is the best choice, knowing your health history, etc. That's the kind of stuff that will be helpful. Hugs, dina

I f this is an insurance requirement -- ask them what info they want and in what format.  Some of the insurance companies get really picky about this.  For some just your physician notes of date and weight would be sufficient -- others want it in the notes that you discussed specific diet and exercise issues. Good luck. Red

Thank you to all. I would much rather document MORE than not enough. Thanks DIna for giving specifics that I can make sure I document daily. I would never have thought to be so detailed.

 

 

 

I was told (united healthcare) that they did not want a "letter " from your Dr.  but rather everything charted.  They wanted to see  changes over a period of time.  Exercising increases, timewise and in level of difficulty. Dietary changes increase.  Your thoughts get "deeper"  LOL