Patient portal

Patient Portals are healthcare-related online applications that allow patients to interact and communicate with their healthcare providers, such as physicians and hospitals. Typically, portal services are available on the Internet at all hours of the day. Some patient portal applications exist as stand-alone web sites and sell their services to healthcare providers, while other portal applications are implemented into the existing web site of the healthcare provider. Examples of patient portal companies include Care Converge [http://www.careconverge.com/healthcare/patientportal.htm] , Geonetric [http://www.geonetric.com] , MEDSEEK [http://www.medseek.com] , OptumHealth [http://www.OptumHealth.com] , CareTech Solutions [http://www.caretechsolutions.com] ,Sophrona Solutions [http://www.sophrona.com] , Avancecare [http://www.avancecare.com/patientportal.asp] and Cerner Powerworks. [http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_13/b3926998_mz001.htm] ,

Benefits and Features of Patient Portals

Patient portals benefit both patients and healthcare providers by increasing efficiency and productivity. Patient portal applications might allow patients to register and complete forms online, which can streamline and shorten visits to clinics and hospitals. Many portal applications also allow patients to request prescription refills online, order eyeglasses and contacts, access medical records, pay bills, and schedule appointments. Patient portals also typically allow patients to directly communicate with healthcare providers by asking questions and leaving comments. [http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_13/b3926998_mz001.htm]

Practice Portals

Portal applications for practices typically exist in tandem with patient portals, allowing access to patient information and records, as well as schedules, payments, and messages from patients. [http://practiceportals.com/]

Security

Most patient and practice portals are secure and compliant with HIPAA regulations, and all patient access is typically validated with a user name and password. [http://cms.hhs.gov/EducationMaterials/Downloads/HIPAAChecklist.pdf]