Before the new school year begins, now is the best time to organize your family's medical records and gather vital information you need to keep on hand. Thanks to new software, you can easily create an electronic storage system to keep all your records, details, contact information, even track medical expenses in one organized place. Get a free, personal copy of SimoHealth software by going to www.simohealth.com and click on the "download" button.

Here's a quick way to get started:

1. Gather together information you need
   Contact doctors to get your records and medical information you don't already have on hand (this includes from Primary Care Practitioners, Specialists, Gynecologist/Obstetrician, Dentists, Eye Doctors, Alternative Practitioners, Specialists, Immunizations, Medications, etc.). Also organize your health insurance information and forms, bills, and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses. It may take a few phone calls to gather what you need, but will be worth it once you have everything in one place in SimoHealth.
2. Record your information
   Write down your current doctors' names and contact information (include name, address, phone number, fax, and date of first visit). Include your allergies and medications (drug name, when you started, dosage, and frequency). Once you put this information in SimoHealth you can print out a "Personal Health History" for each person and have the document with you in case of emergency.
3. Write your history
   Jot down any significant health problems or events you can remember since childhood. Try to describe the specific problem you had rather than just saying "allergic to penicillin." Did it make you nauseated? Give you a rash? This can include serious illnesses, surgeries, past medications, accidents, injuries, emergency care, alternative therapies (e.g., massage, acupuncture), etc. Create histories for your children as well. If you don't know all the details, you should be able to recover some of them from past medical records (see step 1 - Gather together information).
4. Note your family's history
   Next, write down what you know about the health history of your immediate family members, including any conditions they have. Pay special attention to conditions that may have a genetic component, such as breast cancer, high blood pressure, and neurological illnesses. This information can be important in helping you and your doctor plan your future health care and is easy to manage in SimoHealth.
5. Carry vital stats with you
   Print out crucial information -- insurance carrier, doctors' names and phone numbers, emergency contact, medications, allergies, and blood type -- from a simple report in SimoHealth. Keep it in your wallet or daily planner for easy reference, while on vacation or traveling so you're prepared in case of emergencies.

The easiest way to manage all of this information is a new, organizational tool designed just for today's families. SimoHeath helps you organize and manage your family's medical records and medical expenses, even keep track of what you owe your insurance - and what your insurance owes you. Get a free, personal copy of SimoHealth software by downloading here: www.simohealth.com.