[Blindtlk] getting around a doctors office

Mon May 28 14:12:16 UTC 2012

That's in "The Nature of Independence."

Chris Nusbaum

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."
2 Corinthians 5:7

Sent from my BrailleNote

 ----- Original Message -----
From: "Judy Jones" <jtj1 at cableone.net
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org
 sent: Sun, 27 May 2012 17:18:37 -0600
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] getting around a doctors office

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@eche
varriatravel.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@eche
varriatravel.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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