The weather is getting warmer, the birds have started chirping, and your flowers have started to bloom… it must be time for Spring Cleaning! Every year, millions of Americans indulge in “Spring Cleaning Fever,” an extensive act of cleaning out closets, desks, drawers, cars, etc… The process has actually been known to - surprisingly - improve mental health, because it helps people de-clutter their lives. As part of your Spring Cleaning routine, we recommend that you also “Spring Clean” your health records and health insurance policy.

Create a filing system for your health records. As you clean out your desk and filing cabinet, gather all your health and medical papers. Separate your records into a convenient filing system, such as the following:

• Current Family Health Conditions - Include information on your family’s current health conditions, any medications being taken, and contact information for the family physician.

• Health Insurance Policy - Include all documentation you have received from your health insurance company, including the plan’s Terms & Conditions, benefits, and coverage information. It’s also a good idea to keep a record of your monthly premium payments and all medical claims submitted to your insurer.

• Medical Bills & Receipts - Keep a copy of all your medical expenses - whether they were paid by you or your health insurance company. This includes bills/receipts for all medical expenses - doctor’s visits, emergency room visits, physical therapy, pharmacy prescriptions, required medical devices, etc… Not only will this help you monitor your budget, but you may also be able to claim your medical expenses as a deduction on your taxes.

• Health Record History - It’s very important to keep ongoing records of your family’s health conditions and vital health care information. For each member of your family, we recommend that you create a record with the following information: blood type, allergies, immunizations, dates of all significant illnesses and injuries, names and locations of doctors you’ve visited, dates of hospital stays, medications taken, dates and types of shots, and dates and explanations of medical tests (X-rays, MRI’s, CAT scans, etc…). Update the list as needed, so you always have a current record of your family’s health history.

Update Your Health Insurer. Be sure your health insurance company has the most current information for you - including basic contact information, health status, and current life situation. This is especially important if you’ve had any significant life changes recently, such as getting married, moving to a new home, having a baby, or starting a new job.

Review Your Health Insurance Plan. Look back through the past year’s medical expenses and insurance claims. Does your health plan match your needs? You may be paying too much - or too little - for your health insurance needs. It may be a good time to compare some new policies against your current insurance policy. If you find a health plan that suits you better, contact your insurance agent for more information.

Review your Insurer’s Open Enrollment packet. If you’ve decided to stay with your current health plan, be sure to review the policy information. Make sure you understand any changes that have been made to your health insurance policy, and don’t be afraid to contact your insurer if you need more information.