Q; Last week I returned to see my chiropractor after 4 years of no treatment. I was astounded at the amount of paperwork it took to fill out prior to my exam. Why is there so much paperwork needed these days?

A; The main reason your doctor and all doctors all over our country are requiring more data and records as well as signed notices, is that we live in a litigious society. Most paperwork is for prevention of lawsuits from the patients, insurance companies, malpractice and government business laws.

In the last 5 years, rigid standards and protocols have been put on hospitals, small practices and individual physicians. Public advocates, in their attempt to protect the public’s interests, require disclosure of the intentions of the physician and any referrals he makes. Government insurance agencies such as Medicare and Medicaid change their policies on a regular basis and many of these changes require the doctor or facility to inform their patients by signing forms. The new Medicare Privacy Acts have now changed how health facilities conduct their business with the public. Compliance manuals will be required of all healthcare facilities as of September 2002.

This means even additional forms for the patient. I could not believe anyone, including the doctors’ staff nor the patient enjoy all this extra paperwork, but the bottom line is, it is required and if not performed, the doctor is legally bound by it and could be fined if not performing it appropriately. The doctor can now have his patients’ records and files audited randomly by insurance companies and if they are not in compliance with accurate record keeping could have their payments rescinded.

The true paperwork that is time consuming but very important is a comprehensive health history. All healthcare practitioners should be responsible for requesting this history and reviewing it thoroughly with their patient prior to treatment. A thorough health history can be more revealing than the examination. It helps the patient identify where their condition may have originated.

If you feel the pain you have in your body is not as bad as the pain in filling out the doctors forms you are not alone. Until a better method arrives we must all comply, understanding this is for the protection and betterment of you the patient and your physician.

Quote of the week: Yesterday’s endings are seeds for today’s beginnings.

Lewis Losoncy