If the claim is paid without question, why keep more than the current year?

I shredded years worth of Mom's when she moved here 7 years ago. I keep some just to remember when she had certain things done, but I agree if they are paid by Medicare and the secondary, if you have one, you don't need them.

Good idea to make a list of major things, dates and doctors, but just make a blog-style list on a Word.doc instead of keeping the paperwork.

thank you all for the suggestions...I hope I don't burn up the shredder!

I was thinking about your summary list. I'd have done something like this:

3/15/05 UTI Dx during routine appt with Dr. Cook, no symptoms, Rx (antibiotic)

4/12/05 complaint of back pain

(follow-up) appts, xrays, etc leading to kyphoplasty after ER admittance in May,

Etc. List complaints, doctor seen, Dx, Rx, follow up. Might be a very useful tool to keep. Just keep in blog form.

If you are going back 7 yrs to toss out old forms, just keep the main Dx, Rx (if new), major procedures. Record would highlight major changes in conditions or treatment.

Then an on-going current blog would contain a lot more. But it's still a great paper-saver, and useful tool. (you calling the doctor's office, she's had UTI's three times in past 6 months, etc.)

Thanks for the suggestions for the summary list...great idea now that I am going to be responsible for all her appointments etc. This is going to be a whole new ballgame with a high degree of learning involved, I'm sure.
Have a brother 10 hours away who is providing moral support but that's about all! At least he is going to come and help with the house clean out this summer, but if he has his way we'd load it all in a dumpster except for about 3 photo albums...it may be an interesting summer!

Don't just toss papers, either burn or shred. Identy theft. Personally, I would keep bills, paid, information for 3 years. It is hard to duplicate stuff. I like the idea of a summary list--illnesses, meds, doctors, hospital visits, etc. You could also take most of the stuff home and go thru it when you have more time. If you have to shred stuff, maybe some business has a commerical shreder you could use for a small fee. I am doing that with my stuff now.

Yes, mariend...good idea about bringing it back to Fl. with us..do it at a more leisurely pace rather than this summer when we'll be going through every thing else in the house..buy some big ole rubbermaid bins and fill 'em up!
sushipup...thanks for the suggestion to put everything from the medical aspect in one place on the computer..easy to update as we need to.

I only keep things like that for a couple of years and haven't had a problem. Same with utility receipts.

I like that summary list. I think I will start one of those because I don't need a lot of the info but keep it for dates in hospital and meds, etc.

Yes, I would bring home as much paperwork, etc. so you can go through it at your leisure instead of trying to cram everything into a day or two.