Digital Records - will it reduce costs?
Digital medical records are a growing trend and, as most subjects, it seems to have 2 distinctly different views. Some believe that it could be used for discriminatory insurance and coverage practices and also is an invasion of privacy. Others have the view that it will reduce unnecessary tests, and costs, when seeing a different doctors because most people are not aware of their past medical history. Ignoring for the moment the potential for insurance abuse and protection of privacy, it would save a substantial amount of our medical dollars.
I have had a few blood irregularities that can suggest liver and bone cancer, along with other potential problems, for 25 years. This is the reason that I was charged 50% more for insurance when I had to switch to a private insurance policy. My doctors all wrote letters to the insurance company that everything had been checked out and my blood tests were just weird. But, the underwriters knew that I had to have something. Now, after 25 years, I feel vindicated...broke, but vindicated. (Wouldn't I be embarrassed if I had died 20 years ago of something terrible).
Because of those idiosyncrasies, every time I see a specialist or new doctor, the blood work comes back and I have to explain what "my normal" is and how long it has been going on. If I do not do that, each doctor would rightfully be compelled to run fairly expensive tests to make sure that I did not have something terrible that needs to be treated. For that reason, I get copies of all of my tests and blood work to make sure that I have that information when going to a doctor. There are a few in the medical community who are uncomfortable with those of us who want that information, but most doctors will welcome someone who feels some responsibility for their own medical care. They have limited time and should not have to spend it on needless tests. If those records would be digitized, it would make doctors' decisions much easier.
For those concerned about insurance
using that information to deny coverage and that information being
available to more people, it is a valid concern. Also, the cost for many physicians to convert to digital records can be substantial. But, we must put controls on insurance for denial of coverage and also do as much as possible to insure that the information is very secure. If something isn't done concerning insurance coverage, the next level is genetic testing which will allow for denial of coverage for diseases that your genetics indicate that you might get.
I know that the pharmacists like the digital prescriptions and that would eliminate some errors in medications. But, this is a tool that is important for some control of patient care and costs, and deserves additional thought.
As for genetic testing, we can discuss choosing your parents later.
TVP
Email The Virtual Patient
I have had a few blood irregularities that can suggest liver and bone cancer, along with other potential problems, for 25 years. This is the reason that I was charged 50% more for insurance when I had to switch to a private insurance policy. My doctors all wrote letters to the insurance company that everything had been checked out and my blood tests were just weird. But, the underwriters knew that I had to have something. Now, after 25 years, I feel vindicated...broke, but vindicated. (Wouldn't I be embarrassed if I had died 20 years ago of something terrible).
Because of those idiosyncrasies, every time I see a specialist or new doctor, the blood work comes back and I have to explain what "my normal" is and how long it has been going on. If I do not do that, each doctor would rightfully be compelled to run fairly expensive tests to make sure that I did not have something terrible that needs to be treated. For that reason, I get copies of all of my tests and blood work to make sure that I have that information when going to a doctor. There are a few in the medical community who are uncomfortable with those of us who want that information, but most doctors will welcome someone who feels some responsibility for their own medical care. They have limited time and should not have to spend it on needless tests. If those records would be digitized, it would make doctors' decisions much easier.
I know that the pharmacists like the digital prescriptions and that would eliminate some errors in medications. But, this is a tool that is important for some control of patient care and costs, and deserves additional thought.
As for genetic testing, we can discuss choosing your parents later.
TVP
Posted by The Virtual Patient at 3/16/2009 9:35 PM 
Categories: doctors, Universal Healthcare, Uninsured, Costs, Patient Responsibility
Tags: Patient universal health reasonable and customary cost medical coverage doctors Insurance health care
Categories: doctors, Universal Healthcare, Uninsured, Costs, Patient Responsibility
Tags: Patient universal health reasonable and customary cost medical coverage doctors Insurance health care
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