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The Patient Portal—Help or Hindrance?
We’ve always talked about quick access to all the information we want, when we want it. Gone are the days of ‘snail’ mail and encyclopedias. Now we have Patient Portals! And they are here to stay!
In 2016 the Cures Act went into effect, but the part that pertained to access to patient records wasn’t effective until April 2021. The Dept of Health and Human Services began enforcing the rule which declared that a hospital or doctor must allow access to a person’s health information. Failure to do so could result in fines for the doctor and hospital. Thus, the Patient Portal.
The result is that as soon as you have lab work, x-rays, CT scans, or a diagnostic test, YOU will receive the information (often before the doctor does.). This has led to much confusion and fright for many patients. A test result, read by a patient, out of context, or without a doctor’s explanation, can lead to confusion and anxiety and un-necessary emotional harm. I know this personally, when I received the results of my MRI well before my doctor. Seeing a report that stated “new lesions in areas of the brain,” really freaked me out!
In today’s world of instant gratification with computers, the emotional cost of instant access can be high.
- How have you been able to handle reports on the Patient Portal? What suggestions do you have for other members?
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I use my doctor’s portal. I just leave my message then by 4:00 that day I get a new prescription if needed or an increase in dosage.
I am not charged yet for the service.
I understand that Mayo may charge a fee for using the portal for various purposes. This is new information that I didn’t know about.
I will keep my PCP portal as it’s still free so far. They call me regarding my submission within 3 hours and any new prescriptions are filed from my Doctor directly to my delivered medication as he orders it from his laptop and by 4-4:30 my meds are delivered straight to my office.
I was on 300 mg of Wellbutrin XL in the morning and he upped it to 450 mg mornings. I just started today so I will wait until it starts working before I message or see him in person if the increased dose has bad side affects.
It shouldn’t because I took the GeneSight DNA test and Wellbutrin is considered ok for me. We’ll see.
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1 ReactionI love it. I get to read doctor's notes which is helpful because I don't have to be bothered taking notes during the visit. Also if I have a question I post it to the doctor and generally get an answer within 24 hrs. I find it saves time.
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1 ReactionMostly a blessing I think, I have found the portals very useful. The trick is to NOT try to interpret those results just because you can read English 😊. Curious to know what your MD husband thinks of the same question.
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1 ReactionWell my hubby, not having the illness anxiety I have, probably thinks they’re great lol. He doesn’t really understand how helpful or damaging they can be because he’s pretty healthy and when he’s had acute health issues he doesn’t worry. He simply waits patiently to see the doc face to face. In retrospect I’d say the portals can be good in that occasionally my hepatic/GI nurse practitioner will actually respond to questions or concerns I send on the portal. I have to communicate with him that way often because appointments are scarce and his staff are horrible, once they didn’t answer the phone for 2 days. As far as communication directly with my actual hepatologist….that’s laughable. I can’t see him until mid next year.
Let me add, I’d probably love my portal if the hepatologist nurse practitioner and/or physician actually posted their notes on there but they don’t. My labs aren’t there either and my med list is all wrong. They have some of my diagnoses wrong. My disability attorney warned me medical care here is bad. And now I see. Exhausting.
I cannot get on the patient portal because my doctors employees are too busy to show me how it works. When I ask they say I am already on it but what they do not understand I do not know how to access it. Can you help me? Theresa
thdal55 | @thdal55
There is a patient portal help desk, try reaching out to them.
Here is info:
If you need support for the patient portal or Mayo Clinic app, call 1-877-858-0398 weekdays from 7 a.m.–7 p.m. CDT.
Laurie
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2 ReactionsHi @thdal55. Your Mayo patient portal is a lifeline to all of your appointments, health records and information. So I’m sure it’s frustrating not to be able to access your account. @roch gave you great information with a phone number for the Patient Portal Help desk.
Your can also click this link which will take you to the Online services page:
https://onlineservices.mayoclinic.org/content/staticpatient/showpage/patientonline
When you get to the page, you’ll see where it says Log in.
If you don’t remember your password, scroll down to the bottom and there is more information there where you can contact Online service and they’ll be able to help you. Have your patient ID number ready.
Do you remember setting up an account?
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1 Reaction@thdal55, Hi Theresa.
@roch and @loribmt have offered good numbers and links to get help with getting set up on Mayo Clinic's patient portal. But sometimes it can be helpful to go through it step by step with a real person. Luckily Mayo Clinic's Conceirge Services offers help like this.
You can contact them by email or phone. If you're in Rochester, Minnesota, you can visit them in person with your phone, tablet or laptop. Here's how to contact them:
In person: Concierge Services desk
Mayo Building (lobby level, in the International Center)
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
No appointment necessary
By phone 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Friday: 507-538-8438
Email: concierge@mayo.edu
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1 ReactionI got 5 results from lab tests that wete "out of normal range" on my patient portal. After 3 weeks time the Dr has not contacted me. I hate patient portals. Gone are the days when Dr. would CALL with results! I have Cancer and hD a PET scan THREE weeks ago and no results yet. i had to make a Dr APPOINTMENT to find out the results which cost me yet another out of pocket cost. I have it tomorrow. i am not a happy camper!