By Leah Grebner, PhD, Director, Health Information Technology
As the electronic health record has evolved, many health care providers have started using patient portals. A patient portal is a website that provides secure access to personal health information any time of day from any location with Internet access.
Some things a patient can do using patient portals include:
- Schedule or change an appointment
- View summaries of recent appointments
- View medication lists
- Request medication refills
- Access immunization history
- Exchange secure messages with the provider
- View test results
- Download forms
- View patient education materials
- Check insurance benefits and coverage information
Appointments scheduled through a patient portal should only be for routine or non-urgent needs. If an urgent need arises, it is recommended the provider be reached by phone. Emergencies should be addressed either by a phone call to the provider, a visit to the nearest emergency department, or a call to 911.
Patients must be aware of the fact that there may be a charge for electronic consultations with their providers. Similar to billing for telephone consultations with providers, there is also a medical code to report and bill for electronic consultations using Internet technology. However, not all providers bill for electronic consultations at this point.
While patients appreciate the ability to view test results quickly, there is a risk involved with this function. Since the provider is not face-to-face with the patient, a full explanation of the results is not able to be provided when they are viewed. Patients may view the results and try to research possible explanations and self-diagnosis. One concern with this is the amount of inaccurate information that exists on the Internet. When researching medical information online, the best practice is to avoid most websites that end in “.com.” Websites with “.org,” “.gov,” or “.edu” generally have more reputable information. Be careful with any site using a wiki, as these include information that may be added by anybody, not just health care professionals.
Many abnormal test results may indicate a wide variety of potential diagnoses. Combinations of symptoms and abnormal results may reflect something serious, such as cancer, or they could also indicate a relatively harmless benign condition. It is easy for a patient to self-diagnose incorrectly, causing unnecessary worry until the next appointment with the provider. Another concern with self-diagnosing is temptation to pursue potentially harmful home remedies. It is possible that this type of practice could cause more harm than good, depending on the nature of the condition that the patient actually has.
The ability to review health record documentation using a patient portal can also facilitate ensuring the information documented in the record is correct. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) includes a provision for patients to request an amendment to correct inaccurate or incomplete information if an error is found in a health record. If a patient reviews records and finds an error, the provider must respond to a request for an amendment or correction of the record. If the provider disagrees with the request, the patient has a right to submit a statement of disagreement that must be added to the record by the provider.
Not all patient portals are created equally. Some may have the full functionality to perform all of the tasks listed above, while others may only be able to provide a few of the functions. The patient portal is a relatively new concept in health care delivery, so many providers are still in the process of developing additional functions. If you have any questions about the functionality of your provider’s patient port, ask your specific health care provider.
For additional information, please contact Dr. Leah Grebner, RHIA, CCS, FAHIMA. Looking to change your career? Visit Midstate College, www.midstate.edu, or call 309-692-4092. Midstate College is located at 411 West Northmoor Road, Peoria, IL 61614.