Do You Have A “Go” Bag and Plan?
↓ Download Our Free Resource Sheet and Checklist Below! ↓
By Ailene Gerhardt, MA, BCPA, CSA®, Founder, Beacon Patient Solutions LLC & Navigating Solo Network
Research shows that people put off planning because they don’t know what to do, what they will need, or feel they do not have people to ask to fill important roles. Since it’s impossible to predict when you will need to navigate a medical emergency, it’s best to prepare proactively. Having a plan in place can give you peace of mind and some control at a time of uncertainty.
Below is a checklist to help you prepare, organize, and think ahead to make sure your “go plan" is in place should an emergency arise.
These items should be available ON PAPER and included in on the top of your GO BAG! You CANNOT rely solely on electronic systems to interact with each other and for providers to be able to pull up accurate information!
What to Include:
Face Sheet: Instructive summary about you that includes:
Mention of glasses/hearing aids and/or mobility devices you need for activities of daily life
Whether you are right or left handed
Arm preference and location for blood draws and IVs.
Instructions about a condition that requires medication at specific intervals/on specific days and what you take, how often and what happens if it is missed.
Organized Paperwork (Personal Health Record): Consider purchasing our E-book to get started!
Name, Blood Type, Allergies, Emergency Contact name(s), relationship and contact information
A current copy of your Driver’s License, Insurance card / Medicare/Medicaid card, Supplemental Insurance Card front and back
Current Providers List: Name, Phone Number, Specialty, Location
Current Medications List (include dose, when it’s taken, frequency, why you take that medicine, prescriber)
Medical Summary: Conditions & Timeline of Surgical Procedures and Screening Tests
Completed current HIPAA releases, Advance Directive Documents: Healthcare Proxy, Living Will/Personal Directive, Emergency Contact list
Additional Items:
Phone/Tablet chargers, hearing aid batteries / chargers, extra glasses
Basic toiletries
Extra socks, underwear
Disinfecting wipes / hand sanitizer (to wipe down surfaces you come in contact with in your room)
Notebook, pens, clipboard
Also Consider:
Know the Best Hospital for In-Network Care:
Know what hospital is closest to you and in-network
Ask the billing department if the Emergency Room (ER) contracts with out of network providers or providers who don’t take insurance.
Download Video Chat Apps Ahead of Time: Zoom, Facetime, Google Meet, What’s App, Facebook Messenger
Who will take in your mail, water your plants, care for your pets, make sure you do not come home to “moldy” contents in the refrigerator, etc
Make sure your emergency contact(s) has/have copies of all documents you bring with you and easy access to advance care plan documents such as HIPAA releases, healthcare proxy, living will, etc.
View our blog post: what to include in your personal health record for more details
While there is a lot of uncertainty currently can “prepare” for an emergency by having our records and important documents organized and up to date. Having basic items gathered in the event of a hospital stay will also make things easier at a time of extreme stress. Contact me to help you prepare!
Download Our Free “Go Plan” Resource Sheet and Checklist!
Connect With Us: When the complexity of your healthcare situation is too challenging to navigate on your own working with an independent board certified patient advocate can help cut through the “red tape” and reduce complications at an emotional time. Contact Ailene to learn more about the value of working with a private healthcare advocate.