What challenges might you enounter, given HIPAA regulations? [Part 2 of 2] Part 1 of this blog described when you might want to get copies of your, or your parent’s, health records. It also discussed the critical federal law, HIPAA, and how the resulting privacy rule assures that patients have appropriate access. Part 2 gives you the practical details about getting … [Read more...]
HIPAA Rights Go Beyond Talking To Your Parent’s Doctors
As your parent's advocate, with HIPAA you have the right to obtain records. [Part 1 of 2] Managing your own health care, much less a parent’s care, can quickly become complicated as health problems arise. When we’re young and healthy, an annual physical checkup, a few screening tests, a dental cleaning, and an eye exam are easy to manage over a year. But as I recently … [Read more...]
You Use Special Medical Equipment – Are You Prepared for An Emergency?
If you are on oxygen therapy, have you notified your power company? Often when the power goes out due to a storm it’s a minor inconvenience. For most of us, all we need is a few candles to see and board game or a book to pass the time. But when you’re caring for aging parents, a power outage can have serious consequences, especially if the situation escalates past a few … [Read more...]
What Is Your Caregiver Contract?
And I don’t mean the contract you sign with an agency. I believe that each relationship is built on a contract: Spouses, Significant Others, Parent/Child, even Friends. Informal and often unspoken, each contract defines interactions and expectations for the relationship. At the most basic level it defines what you are willing or not willing to do for one another. Imagine … [Read more...]
Stop Paying Those Medical Bills – Until You Are Sure Insurance Paid It’s Share
Every Statement Is Not A Bill. Imagine getting this advice from an Elder Law Attorney. And yet, that is exactly what Cathy Sikorski, Esq. colleague and friend told me in a recent conversation. “Excuse me, did I hear you correctly? Don’t immediately pay a hospital, doctor, physical therapist or any other medical provider bill?” Yes, yes you did. You need to do some … [Read more...]