[Blindtlk] getting around a doctors office

Sun May 27 23:18:37 UTC 2012

I remember hearing Dr. Jernigan saying, (and it may be in the speech that's 
been referenced, can't remember), that independence is going where you want 
to go, when you want to go, how you want to go, with the least amount of 
bother to you or someone else.  Again, I'm paraphrasing, but I believe it to 
be true.

There are times when using a cane or dog is best, sometimes sighted guide, 
whichever works more smoothly in the given situation.

Judy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "cheryl echevarria" <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 1:15 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] getting around a doctors office

>
> no it isn't, if someone is violating the law with such access it is okay 
> to make a fuss, but if it is our doctors office about us, then it is 
> overkill.
> Can't have it both ways, on this, this is how doctors and there staff gets 
> away with things.
>
> 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 15:02:18 -0400
>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] getting around a doctors office
>>
>> 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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>> >
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