Patient emails

Email is becoming a frequent way to communicate with patients. However, you must concern yourself with HIPAA’s privacy issues. Your office policy should state that patients must first give their consent for email correspondence.  Even with this consent, you need to have all e-correspondence go through a secure patient portal which is similar to your bank portal where you have a unique user ID and password that gives you access to your patient mailbox and other items.  Never allow staff to communicate via regular email to your patients.  The portal notifies the patient at their regular email address when they have a new message to go check the portal.  The portal can be used to allow a patient to view their labs, upcoming appointments, bills (past and present), and email correspondence.  I have seen many of these portals integrate with a practice’s EMR system.

About the Author

Reed Tinsley CPA

This article is written by Reed Tinsley, a Houston, TX-based CPA with over 30 years of experience advising physicians and medical practices across Texas and the United States. Reed holds certifications as a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Certified Healthcare Business Consultant (CHBC), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP), specializing exclusively in the healthcare sector. He is a published author, nationally recognized speaker, and trusted advisor to physicians on accounting & tax, practice management, and financial planning. Schedule a Free Consultation.