Published by Family Office Health Advisory. Physician founder: Dr. Gabriel Bietz, MD, RPVI, FACS.
Last updated: . General education and service information.
What belongs in the report?
A summary is most useful when another reader can tell where its statements came from. FOHA's proposed structure separates documented history, the individual's own report and unresolved questions. It keeps a record index so a treating clinician can return to the underlying material.
- Relevant conditions and operations, with dates where available.
- Medication names, documented doses and the source of the list.
- Allergies and recorded reactions.
- Key test findings and the clinical context given in the records.
- Treating clinicians and their roles.
- Pending referrals, tests or follow-up recommendations.
- Missing records, conflicting information and questions for confirmation.
- Source document dates and the report's update date.
Why are medication details and sources important?
AHRQ encourages keeping an up-to-date list of medicines, vitamins and supplements and sharing it with doctors and pharmacists. A summary can organize those items, but the treating team still needs to confirm the current regimen.
If two documents disagree, label the disagreement. For example, an old note may list a dose that differs from a recent discharge document. The report should ask the appropriate clinician to confirm the dose rather than choose one silently. Do not change a medication because of a summary alone.
How is a useful report different from a folder of records?
| Record folder | Consolidated Medical Report |
|---|---|
| Preserves original documents | Explains the relevant history with source references |
| May contain duplicates and old versions | Flags conflicting or outdated information |
| Requires the reader to reconstruct the timeline | Presents an organized timeline and care-team context |
| Contains the detailed clinical evidence | Supports focused questions and identifies what is missing |
How can the report support an appointment?
Begin with the purpose of the visit and the questions the individual wants answered. Select the relevant summary and source records for that task. AHRQ recommends preparing questions and bringing a medication list to a medical appointment.
Afterward, record the clinician's recommendations, identify the person responsible for the next action and note what still needs confirmation. A summary that is never updated can become misleading. An update date makes its limits easier to see.
How can the report support a coverage review?
The report can focus policy research on a documented condition, prescribed medicine or planned service. It helps define which coverage criteria to investigate. It is not proof that a benefit will be approved, and an insurer may require additional clinical documentation.
The individual's permission also matters. A report prepared for clinical coordination should not automatically be sent to a family office, employer or wealth manager. Agree on the recipient and purpose before sharing it.
What should you ask before commissioning a report?
- Which records will the team review, and what remains unavailable?
- Who will check the summary and how will sources be cited?
- How will conflicting information be handled?
- Who may receive it?
- When and how will it be updated?
Which sources inform this article?
FOHA's proposed workflows are its own service framework. These sources support the specific background points identified in the text.