# FAQ — Health Disease History Answers for customers and agents. Use **health language only**. This interview records what a clinician has already said. It is not a diagnosis, not BMI screening, and not a policy discussion. --- ## Why we ask ### Why are you asking about diseases? We build a clear list of conditions you have been diagnosed with, treated for, or take medication for. That history helps keep your health details accurate. We are not examining you on this call. ### Are you my doctor? No. A licensed clinician diagnoses and treats. We only record what you tell us about your history. ### Do I have to answer every disease group? No. You may skip any group. Please say “skip” rather than guessing. ### Why do you go group by group (cancer, diabetes, heart, and so on)? Those groups match common ways clinicians organize medical history. Going in order reduces missed conditions. ### Will you tell me if I have a disease? No. If you are unsure whether you have a condition, we note “unsure” and suggest you confirm with your clinician or medication list. --- ## Cancer ### Why exclude basal cell skin cancer? Basal cell skin cancer is common and usually treated locally. We still need to know about melanoma and internal cancers. If you are not sure of the skin type, say so. ### What details matter for cancer history? Type or site, year of diagnosis, treatments (surgery, chemo, radiation, other), whether treatment is finished or ongoing, and whether it has returned or spread, if you know. --- ## Diabetes ### What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2? Type 1 usually needs insulin from early in the illness. Type 2 is more often treated first with lifestyle and non-insulin medicines; some people later use insulin. Use the type your clinician gave you. ### Why ask about insulin? Insulin means the diabetes is treated that way. It is a treatment fact, not a judgment. Also record when insulin started if you know. ### Why ask about kidney, eye, nerve, or heart problems? Those can occur together with long-standing diabetes. We only record what a clinician has already named. --- ## Digestive ### What counts as a digestive disease here? Examples: Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, ulcers, and surgeries such as gastric bypass. Everyday heartburn is only recorded if a clinician diagnosed a related condition (for example ulcer or GERD they want listed). ### Why ask when surgery happened? Timing helps describe whether the condition is recent, recovered, or still followed in clinic. --- ## Disability (under 65) ### Why ask about disability? Only for the **medical condition** behind it (for example a neurological or joint disease). We do not ask about benefit checks, claims, or insurance. --- ## Immune and neurological ### What belongs in this group? Examples: cerebral palsy, epilepsy or seizures, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy, Parkinson’s disease, lupus. Your clinician may use other names — we record those too. ### Why ask about last seizure or last hospital stay? It describes how recently the condition needed urgent care. Current daily medication is also useful if you are willing to share it. --- ## Joint and muscle ### Is arthritis worth mentioning? Yes, if a clinician diagnosed it (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or another type). Note if it limits walking or if you use a wheelchair. --- ## Kidney ### Why ask about dialysis? Dialysis means the kidneys need machine support. It is an important part of kidney history. Also record failure, polycystic disease, or kidney removal if diagnosed. --- ## Heart and circulatory ### High blood pressure only — do I still mention it? Yes. It is a circulatory diagnosis. Include whether you take blood-pressure medication. ### Heart attack vs stent vs bypass vs heart failure — why so many names? They are different events and treatments. Name what the hospital or cardiologist told you, and the year if you remember. ### What is a TIA? A transient ischemic attack is a brief stroke-like episode. If a clinician used that word, we record it separately from a completed stroke when you know the difference. ### Pacemaker or defibrillator? Record the device and about when it was placed, if you know. --- ## Liver ### Hepatitis vs cirrhosis vs liver failure? Hepatitis is inflammation (often viral B or C). Cirrhosis is scarring. Liver failure means the liver is not doing its job. Use the words your clinician used; do not upgrade the diagnosis yourself. --- ## Lung ### Asthma vs COPD? Asthma often starts earlier and can vary. COPD (including emphysema and chronic bronchitis) is a long-term lung disease, often in adults. Record oxygen use and sleep apnea/CPAP if they apply. --- ## Mental and nervous system ### Do I have to name my medication? No. Condition name, rough timing, and whether you are still in treatment is enough if you prefer not to list drugs. ### Why include dementia or intellectual disability? They are part of nervous-system history. Ask and record with respect. Do not use insulting language. ### PTSD — will you ask what happened? No. We do not need trauma details. Diagnosis and whether you are in treatment is enough. --- ## Other health ### Alcohol or drug use — why is this here? If a clinician diagnosed alcohol use disorder or another substance use disorder, or you are in treatment, it is health history. You may skip it. We do not ask about arrests or driving. ### Home health, hospice, hospital, wheelchair? These describe current care and function. They are health facts, not a diagnosis by the agent. --- ## Accuracy and privacy ### I don’t remember dates. Year or “about X years ago” is fine. Write “date unknown” rather than inventing a date. ### I take many medicines and don’t know what they are for. We can note “multiple medications, conditions to confirm with clinician.” Do not guess the disease from the pill name unless the customer is sure. ### Can a family member answer? Only if the customer agrees and the other person knows the medical history. Note who answered. ### Is this confidential? Record only what is needed for the health history. Follow your organization’s privacy rules. Do not promise extra legal protections you cannot keep. ### Can this replace a clinic visit? No. New or worsening symptoms need a clinician. Emergencies need urgent or emergency care, not this interview. --- ## Short phrases agents can use - “I am recording what your doctor has already told you, not making a new diagnosis.” - “You can skip any disease group.” - “Year of diagnosis is enough if you don’t know the exact date.” - “We are not discussing BMI or any policy on this call.” - “If this feels like an emergency, please get urgent care now.”