On my way to a recent visit to the hospital with my teenage son who got injured during a wrestling match (a benign injury that required an x-ray), I wondered what I would write my next blog post on. Within in 10 minutes of our arrival I had the answer. I should have known a visit to the hospital would lead to good material.
The emergency room process at a quality suburban hospital is quite simple: check-in, see the desk to verify insurance, see a nurse to write a report and then sit in a patient room until the on-call doctor shows up to check you out. My issue was with the insurance check part of the process.
I was handed three very long forms to sign. I love when I am handed forms and they just say “Okay I need your signature on these three forms” not “please read and sign these three forms.” People are so accustomed to signing their lives away that it is assumed that the average person does not read forms. I typically tick off most nurses because I stand and read the forms – even if only do a skim – I do some reading before I sign.
One of the forms required that I sign to certify that I (or the person who needs medical care) received the services submitted to the insurance company for reimbursement. This would have been fine if I had actually received services. When I asked why I was signing the form BEFORE treatment and I got a blank stare.
I had to explain to her that the form that she probably has handed to thousands of people asks for a signature to certify something that hasn’t happened yet. She said that it was the intent to get treatment, however I reminded her that it was not what it said. She really had no clue what the form said.
This incident raises an important question for business leaders: how often are you signing documents without reading them? A more important question to ask is: what are you risking by not reading or reviewing materials in business especially the ones you give out?
By not reading contracts thoroughly there could be negative financial consequences. If you haven’t reviewed contracts and policies for your customers and employees there could also be negative consequences. There is no win-win with this situation.
The quick fix for the hospital would be to require the service certification signature during the check out process. However, they are so busy to get you in and out that no one is really looking at what makes sense.
Best Business Mastery Tip: Clear communication and reading are fundamental, so take a look at the forms you have your customers sign and make sure the content is still relevant and protects you and your business. And always take the time to read contracts and forms before you sign.
By the way, my son only had a bruised clavicle, he got a Motrin pill, a lecture from the on-call doc about the sport of wrestling and my damage was $150 co-pay.
– Shakira
