If not, you probably will be soon. According to Consumer Reports, starting this year, doctors and other health care providers are eligible for financial incentives under a program run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services if they connect with you electronically. You can expect patient portals to come into your life soon, giving you access to portions of your medical records. You’ll be able to make appointments, request prescription refills, pay bills, view lab reports and e-mail your doctor. They might even start sending you personalized health plans, urging you to quit smoking or lose weight. Here are some email do’s and don’ts:
* Don’t use e-mail for emergencies. Most portals warn against this in big red letters.
* Don’t expect an immediate response. If you don’t hear back in two days, pick up the phone and call.
* Keep it short and sweet. Be specific and stick to one topic per e-mail. If you find that you can’t sum up your question in a short paragraph, it’s a sign that you probably need to make an old-fashioned appointment.
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