How to create your personal care plan

A personal care plan is a single document that organizes your most important health information in one place — your conditions, medications, providers, and more. It helps you stay on top of your care, communicate clearly with your health care team, and be prepared for the unexpected. Learn more about what a care plan is and why it matters here.

Ready to build yours? You don’t need a special form or a doctor’s appointment to get started — just a little time and the right information on hand. Follow these 10 simple steps: 

Step 1: Choose your format 

Decide how you want to keep your care plan. Your options include a printed document you store at home, a file saved on your computer, or a downloadable template like the one available from the CDC. The best format is the one you’ll actually use — and can access quickly, especially in an emergency. 

If someone else helps manage your care, consider keeping a copy they can access, too. 

Step 2: Gather your health information 

Before you start filling anything in, pull together the documents and information you’ll need. This might include: 

• Your insurance card  

• A current list of your medications, or the bottles themselves 

• Contact information for your doctors and specialists 

• Records of recent lab work, screenings, or hospitalizations 

Don’t worry if you can’t find everything right away. You can always call your doctor’s office or pharmacy to fill in any gaps. 

Step 3: Fill in your health history 

Start with the basics: your current diagnoses, past surgeries or hospitalizations, and any allergies — including allergies to medications, foods, or materials like latex. Add relevant family health history, such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes. 

This section gives emergency medical staff — or a new specialist — a clear, quick picture of your health background. 

Step 4: List all your medications and supplements 

Write down every prescription medication you take, including the name, dosage, and how often you take it. Then do the same for over-the-counter medications you use regularly, as well as vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies. 

This step is easy to underestimate — but it’s one of the most important. Incomplete medication lists are a leading cause of medical errors, especially when you’re seeing more than one provider. 

Also include your pharmacy’s name and phone number. 

Step 5: Record your health care team 

List the name, specialty, and phone number for every provider involved in your care: your primary care provider, specialists, dentist, eye doctor, and any therapists or counselors. Include your preferred hospital or urgent care center. 

If you’re helping manage care for someone else, the CDC recommends starting the care planning conversation with that person and involving family members who regularly support them. 

Step 6: Add your insurance and legal documents 

Record your health insurance plan name and member ID number, along with your prescription drug plan details. 

This is also the place to note whether you have advance directives — such as a living will or a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order — and who your health care proxy and power of attorney is. 

Step 7: List your emergency contacts 

Include at least two people who should be contacted in an emergency, along with their relationship to you and phone numbers. Note who has permission to receive your medical information. 

Step 8: Write down your health goals and preferences 

This is the section that makes a care plan truly yours. What are you working toward — better blood sugar control, improved mobility, weight loss? Are there treatments you prefer or want to avoid? Do you have cultural or religious preferences that should guide your care? 

Writing these things down ensures your priorities are clearly communicated to every provider involved in your care. 

Step 9: Track what’s coming up 

Add a section for upcoming appointments, tests or screenings you’re due for, prescription refills, and any follow-up care from recent visits. This turns your care plan into a living to-do list — helping you stay on track between appointments. 

Step 10: Review and update it regularly 

A care plan is only useful if it’s current. Plan to review yours at least once a year with your primary care provider — your annual wellness visit is a natural time to do this. 

Update it sooner any time your health changes, you start or stop a medication, or you add a new provider to your care team. The CDC recommends reviewing your care plan every year, or more often if your health or medications change.