Getting Organized During Cancer Treatment

Getting Organized

Welcome back! This blog provides financial resources and information for people living with cancer. In this post, I want to focus on getting and staying organized before, during and after cancer treatment.

Piles of Paperwork?

During cancer treatment, it may sometimes feel like many things are out of your control. But, if there is one thing that you can control during your cancer journey, it’s what to do with all of the paperwork that you receive. Often, the paperwork seems like an afterthought as you watch the pile of paper in the middle of your dining room table grow. Ideally, organizing your medical paperwork should begin before a cancer diagnosis. But realistically, you probably have a few prescriptions and medical receipts at the bottom of your purse or coat pocket that haven’t seen the light of day in months. It’s the same for most of us. So, now is the time to get organized.

Which Organizer is Best?

I’m a big fan of buying an inexpensive multi-pocket 3 ring binder with an expanding accordion style file folder with either a snap or zipper to keep it closed.  Another option is to have two binders: One to take with you to appointments and one to keep at home. Organizers come in many sizes. Remember that most of the paperwork that you will receive from your doctor will be printed on a 8.5 X 11 sheet of paper. Smaller binder are easier to carry but will require folding documents to keep them secure. 

For the file folder or binder that you will be taking with you to appointments, create sections for:

• Calendar

  – Unless you are tech savvy, use a pocket calendar

• Business Cards/Contacts

  – You will receive a ton of business cards. Sort cards regularly and move those that you use less often to your home folder. Also keep a list of a few personal contacts in this section. There may be times when you are a little rattled and it’s easy to forget your own cell phone number or your spouse’s/relative’s contact information. Prepare a call-list with the names and contact info (phone or email) of people you might want to notify with updates.

• Test Results

  – Only keep the most recent in this folder. Blood results from 6 months ago can be moved to your home folder.

• Medication Sheets– Maintain an updated list of medications in this section (See printable PDF). Update this list at each clinic visit. Only hold onto the educational sheets for the medications you are currently prescribed in this folder.

• Doctor visit notes

  – If your cancer treatment team shares an electronic health record (EHR), you will not need to keep these in this folder. If your team does not share EHR, hold onto the past 3-4 visit notes in this folder. Also add initial consultation notes if you only had one visit with a specific provider.

• Prescriptions

• Receipts

Keeping it Together

At home, create a file folder with a tab/pocket for each medical provider that you receive cancer treatment services from. With few exceptions, at every appointment, each medical office is going to charge you a co-pay, give you a receipt, generate a bill to your insurance company. Your insurance company will then send you an Explanation of Benefits (EOB). Afterwards you will receive a bill from the doctor for the portion of the bill that the insurance company did not pay. In short, each appointment can generate 8-10 pieces of paper.

Ideally, when you get home from each appointment, file the receipt in the designated pocket for that provider. Keep a running list of your out of pocket expenses on a small tablet in this file folder. Once you reach your deductible, your insurance may cover future services at 100%.

If holding onto paperwork is not working for you, multiple apps are available. Simply take a picture of each document you are given, upload to the app, and file it. More information can be found at : The 3 Best Bill Organizer Apps of 2021 | SimplyWise. Always check the confidentiality policy for any app or online file storage system before uploading your medical documents and/or personal information.  

Incoming Mail

When you receive EOBs in the mail, look at the date of service and the provider. You can staple the receipt from this service to the EOB. Review the EOB for any further payment responsibilities for this service. If this seems abnormally high, contact your insurance company to see what is going on. Remember, your insurance company works for you. Call the member services phone number on the back of your insurance card whenever you think there has been a discrepancy in payment.

In my next post, I will focus on your next steps once you receive a bill from your medical provider. I hope this information is helpful.  If you would like to continue this conversation, please click on the Subscribe button at the top of the Blog page. I would love to hear your comments as well as resources that have worked for you. Please share this information with your family and friends.

Keeping you in my prayers,

Jackie

For introductory information and to understand the mission of this blog, please see the Introduction