How to Make a Medical Binder (DIY Style)

Do you need a simple and super easy way to keep track of all of your medical information?

I thought so . . .

Whether you live with a chronic illness, are caring for an elderly parent, have a special needs child, or just want to get your all of your family’s important medical information all in one place, a medical binder is a great solution.

Here is a tutorial on how to make a medical binder (for you or someone else.)

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✅ Step 1: Gather Supplies

All you need to create a medical binder are some very common office supplies. You can get these supplies almost anywhere, but I love to use my Amazon Prime membership to get supplies because it cuts down on the errands I have to run. (with four kids and a chronic illness, that is soooo valuable!)

✅ Step 2: Gather All of Your Medical Information, Records, and Documents

Don’t rush this step. Take a moment and think about all the information that would be important to put into your medical binder. The more you can gather at this point, the easier it will be to organize all of that information and insert it into your medical binder later. Read this to find a complete list of all things to include in a medical binder.

To get you started, consider . . .

Future Medical Appointments and Times
All of your different doctor’s contact information (include business cards if you have them)
List of current prescriptions and the individual doses and instructions
Test results and reports on procedures like Xrays and MRIs
Insurance information
Your emergency contacts
Any documents that pertain to your medical history
Advanced directives, living wills, medical power of attorney
Your preferred medical providers, hospitals, and diagnostic labs
List of allergies
List of symptoms or side effects from previous medications or procedures
List of all of your current diagnoses and treatments

✅ Step 3: Decide On the Sections and Create Your Section Dividers

There are lots of ways to organize your categories or sections of your binder. Besides putting your basic medical info page, emergency contacts, and current prescriptions at the beginning, the rest is pretty much up to you.

Here are different sections you should consider having:

Basic Info (including any allergies or if you are an organ donor)
Emergency Contacts
Advanced Directives (Living Wills) or Medical Power of Attorney
Insurance Information & Contact Numbers
Current Medication List
Doctor Contact Info
Current Diagnosis Information
Medication History
History of Illnesses
Hospitalizations
Surgeries
Procedures
Symptoms
Side Effects
Test Results
Prescriptions (Current & Past)
Doctors Appointment Summaries (Get it Free in our Resource Library)

✅ Step 4: Organize your Medical Paperwork in the Order That Makes the Most Sense to You

Most people would say do it chronologically, and I agree (somewhat). But, I think certain things should be at the front of the binder. Such as your basic medical info sheet, emergency contacts, current prescriptions, current diagnoses, current insurance details, and all of your different doctors’ contact information.

If you are using categories or dividers in your binder, it probably doesn’t matter that greatly what order they are in. But, I would advise that within each category section of your binder, you order your medical information chronologically from most current to farthest back timewise.

If you will be using a printed calendar in your binder to keep track of doctor’s appointments, then that might make sense to be the first thing in your medical binder.

✅ Step 5: Place Papers That You Will Reference Often in Sheet Protectors

If you will you use your medical binder as much as I do, then you will want to protect certain pages of your binder by either using hole reinforcers (like these) or sheet protectors (I have these sheet protectors and they are sturdy and crystal clear). There are others that are more opaque and it is harder to see through or read. (✅ See Amazon’s Choice)

✅ Step 6: Hole-Punch All Other Papers

Now that you have all of your medical information in order and ready to be put in your medical binder, it is time to hole punch the papers that aren’t in protective sleeves. I LOVE to hole punch papers for some reason! If you don’t already have a hole puncher, check out ✅ Amazon’s Best Sellers. You definitely want one that is sturdy and can punch through more than just 2 or 3 pages at a time.

✅ Step 7: Place All Your Medical Information Into Your New Medical Binder

Here comes the most satisfying part of making your medical binder—Put it all together! You already have your papers organized in the order you want to have them in. Just insert the category/binder tabs where they are needed and start dropping them in the 3-ring binder. (I prefer the one-touch binder release because it is easier to open and not as difficult if you have reduced hand strength.

✅ Step 8: Choose a Place to Store Your Medical Binder

When choosing where to store your medical binder, make sure to choose a spot that is easy to remember and quick to grab and go at a moments notice. Also, consider how easy it would be to explain to someone else where to find it in your house in the case of an emergency.

✅ BONUS TIP

I have a solution that makes creating a medical binder even easier. The medical binder templates and printables I have created are a complete set of all that you need to make a medical binder. It is especially, made for those of us with special circumstances like living with. chronic illness, mental health diagnoses, caregivers, or special needs children.

Say hello to the Chronic Illness Warrior Life Medical Binder!