The Paralegal's Guide to Medical Record Analysis

Agenda / Content Covered

All times are shown in Eastern time.

1. Tracking Down and Organizing Medical Records
   2:00 - 2:45, Antoinette B. VanSchaick
   1. Overview of HIPAA and Other Essential Laws You Need to Know
   2. Key Terms, Phrases, Symbols, Codes, and Abbreviations
   3. Types of Records
   4. Procuring Records: When, Where, and How
   5. Techniques for Organizing Medical Records
   6. Online Resources for Tracking
   7. Dealing With Difficult Medical Providers
   8. Identifying Additional Providers and Tracking Down Missing Records
2. Analyzing Medical Records and Bills
   2:45 - 3:30, Shanna Hesketh
   1. Examining Medical Bills - What to Look For
   2. Researching the Injury or Condition
   3. Finding Discrepancies, Red Flags, and Signs of Tampering
   4. Using Medical Experts and Nurses to Help Make Sense of the Records
   5. Handling Problematic Medical Notes
   6. Top Mistakes Paralegals Make When Reviewing Medical Records
   7. Helpful Resources
3. Preparing Medical Expense Itemizations
   3:45 - 4:15, Antoinette B. VanSchaick
   1. Summaries for Each Provider
   2. Diagnosis Code Research
   3. Compare Charges With Patient Claims
   4. Insurance Carrier Information Review
   5. Comparison of Itemization to Chronology: Errors and Omissions to Look For
4. Drafting Medical Summaries and Chronologies
   4:15 - 4:45, Shanna Hesketh
   1. History of Symptoms and Treatment
   2. Documentation Concerning Response to Treatment
   3. Objectively Review Both Angles of the Case
   4. Tips for Enhancing Medical Chronologies and Summaries
   5. Medical Chronologies: How to Use Them
5. Medical Notebook: Compiling and Organizing (With Examples)
   4:45 - 5:15, Antoinette B. VanSchaick
   1. Medical Notebooks: What Are They?
   2. Important Items to Include
   3. Strategies for Organizing Your Medical Notebook

Accreditation Details:

SHANNA HESKETH is an attorney and head of personal injury at the Law Offices of Robert C. Abrams in Fresno, California. Ms. Hesketh’s practice areas include criminal defense and personal injury. Ms. Hesketh earned her B.S. degree from California State University, Fresno, and her J.D. degree from San Joaquin College of Law.

ANTOINETTE B. VANSCHAICK obtained her B.A. degree in social sciences from Dowling College. She has been employed in the legal field for 27 years; the last 17 of which have been as a certified professional paralegal after having passed the inaugural professional paralegal certification exam offered in 2004 by NALS . . . the association for legal professionals. Currently, Ms. VanSchaick is in her fourth recertification cycle and is expected to recertify by September 2024. During her 27 years in the legal profession, she has worked in matrimonial/family law, real estate, and estate administration, as well as her primary specialty: plaintiff's personal injury, where she was managing files from intake through resolution. Ms. VanSchaick is employed by Siben & Siben LLP in Bay Shore, New York, as a paralegal in their Negligence Support Department and has been since November 2019. Her primary responsibilities at Siben & Siben LLP are preparing motions, summons and complaints, and bills of particulars, as well as managing the motion calendar. When needed, Ms. VanSchaick also prepares and follows up on various discovery demands. While she has worked in other areas of law, as she mentioned earlier, plaintiff's personal injury is the one she always comes home to. Ms. VanSchaick is currently an active member of NALS . . . the association for legal professionals and has been since 1998, during which she has served in various offices and on various committees on the local, state, and national levels. She also became a paralegal member of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers in February 2021.