[Blindtlk] getting around a doctors office

Thu May 24 19:02:18 UTC 2012

Cheryl,

I think it's better to ask to take the office person's arm, rather than 
asking them to take your arm.

Also, even though it's the law that medical records must be kept private and 
that someone at the office has to fill out the forms for us, I think it's a 
little overkill to threaten with contacting the federal government if they 
say they can't fill out forms. As the saying goes, You can catch more flies 
with honey than vinegar.

Cindy

-----Original Message----- 
From: cheryl echevarria
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 9:31 AM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] getting around a doctors office

Good morning all:
There is something called HIPAA. which protects all of us, I believe I 
posted this before, it could have been on the Diabetic Talk List.
I also still am a medical biller, I keep up my certifications.
But HIPAA is the
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) 
Privacy and Security Rules.
Now this protects your information as well as allowing you to have full 
control of your health records, have copies of your labs, etc.
Now. in reference to a doctors office, if you tell them that you are blind, 
they have to fill out the paperwork for you.
You and only you, even a family member unless you decide to let them know 
all your medical issues, that the you and that doctors office only has to be 
given that information.
No more getting someone to fill out the paperwork for you, if they do not do 
it, you can just say I know the laws pertaining to HIPAA, and tell them if 
they don't do it, you will contact the federal government.
Either by contacting Medicare or your local senator, assembly person, or 
even the governor of your state if you are that close to that person.
When I went to school to study medical billing and coding back in 2007, and 
by the way, I am the first blind student to graduate one of the schools here 
on Long Island, and I am a recipient of the NFB NY, Scholarship back in 2008 
when Anil Lewis was our National Rep.
Anyway, when I went to school to study all of this, they went into HIPAA, 
and that we were taught to assist the patient with the forms, whether or not 
these people decide to do it or not comes from the office manager and the 
doctor themselves, they are breaking federal laws if they ask you to have 
someone fill them out.
Here in NY we are working on the Blind Patients Bill of Rights, I think it 
is ridiculous that we have to do this, but as with other things that we go 
through, we have to make sure that people are following the laws.
Now in reference to trying to maneuver the doctors office, independence is 
learning to know how to ask for help as well, if you don't know you way 
around someplace, ask the people at the office to take your arm, and assist 
to where you are going.
I hope this helps.

Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
Cheryl Echevarria, 
Ownerhttp://www.echevarriatravel.com631-456-5394reservations@echevarriatravel.comhttp://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com

> From: cindy425 at verizon.net
> To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> Date: Thu, 24 May 2012 09:04:34 -0400
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] getting around a doctors office
>
> When I go to a new doctor's office, I ask if someone can fill out the 
> forms
> for me.  Once, a doctor's office mailed me the forms, before my 
> appointment.
> I had a good friend fill them out for me.  But, I really prefer to have
> someone in their office do it.
>
> As far as getting around the office, when I go in, I stand, for a moment,
> and listen to determine where the check-in desk is.  After letting them 
> know
> I'm there, I ask them to direct me to an empty seat.  When I'm called to 
> see
> the doctor, I ask the person who called me if I may take her arm.
>
> I don't think it's important to spend time learning the exact layout of a
> doctor's office.  If you just take a little time to listen and observe, 
> when
> you're there, and ask for whatever help you need, you'll do fine.
>
> Cindy
>
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: RJ Sandefur
> Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 9:34 PM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> Subject: [Blindtlk] getting around a doctors office
>
> My sister took me to see my doctor, and when they called my name, I 
> reached
> for her arm and she told me to use my cane. The mobility instructor says 
> she
> should not have done this. My sister suggested I inquire about learning 
> how
> to navigate the doctors office, but the mobility instructor says that 
> would
> be a waste of time, and when I told my sister this, she asked, "What would
> you do if I wasn't around?" I have mobility tomorrow. How should I bring
> this issue up to him? His name is Steve. When you go to a new doctor, How 
> do
> you fill out the new pasent form? I'm learning all this stuff. RJ
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