Re: web design

May 27, 2007

I use Medfusion. I picked them

mainly for their Virtual Visit capability. They are good to work with,

responsive, and have been reliable. I don’t know anything about

Relay Health.

A. Eads, M.D.

Pinnacle Family Medicine, PLLC

phone fax

P.O.

Box 7275

Woodland

Park, CO 80863

www.PinnacleFamilyMedicine.com

From:

[mailto: ] On

Behalf Of Lonna Larsh

Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2007 2:57

PM

To:

Subject:

web design

Hello everyone,

I am trying to decide how best to set up my internet presence. I

want to be able to communicate with patients via the internet as well as just

have my webpage. The companies I am looking hardest at to do this the

easiest are Relay Health and the Medfusion deal with the AAFP (with an upgrade

so I can get the secure communication). I would love some feedback

on how you all did this and what you think of the service you have

received, especially if you are using either Relay Health or Medfusion.

Thanks,

Lonna

Finding fabulous fares is fun.

Let

Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel

bargains.

May 27, 2007

RE relay health vs medfusion

Relay offered free website and firewall protected messaging for $23 per month pay 12 months up front. No website fee. Virtual visits and prescriptions thru Surescripts added fees ('scripts for $50). Probably will use RelayMedfusion wanted $700 for website up front and 2 year contract $35 min per month supportAsked them if this was with AAFP discount said yes I'm not convinced -- if you're part of IPA they offer better rates thoughAll fees NOT in writing but verbal.Let us know how it goes

Dr Matt LevinFamily MedicinePittsburgh PaDr_Levin@... Office Fax.

More about me--Using SOAPware since 1997Solo Practice started Dec 1st 2004 in Greensburg PA, east of PittsburghPart-time practice management and technology consultant

web design

Hello everyone,

I am trying to decide how best to set up my internet presence. I want to be able to communicate with patients via the internet as well as just have my webpage. The companies I am looking hardest at to do this the easiest are Relay Health and the Medfusion deal with the AAFP (with an upgrade so I can get the secure communication). I would love some feedback on how you all did this and what you think of the service you have received, especially if you are using either Relay Health or Medfusion.

Thanks,

Lonna

Finding fabulous fares is fun.Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains.

May 27, 2007

If I were going to set up a web site for a new practice, I would use a free

or cheap website hoster - and link to the free webfusion website. but not

get the paid version.

Right now I pay for the medfusion one notch up but not free webiste just so

I can change my content ad lib and it's about 250$? a year, no other

features. If I get a red minute, I will look into changing back to the free

basic website.

I would use non-secure email but have the patient sign the 'nonsecure'

disclaimer as part of the patient registration packet.

I am using non secure email now and have had no problems with it yet and

patients are really happy with having this option to contact me through.

I would also be fairly circumspect about what kind of things are sent via

email.

Or I might use the onebox free secure email along with the internet fax

voicemail options from onebox.

- can you comment on how much your website secure email and internet

fax package and paypal account costs you per month?

Matt how much are virtual visits through Relay?

The options that Matt looked into sound too expensive for my cheapskate

patch-it-together tastes.

If ever I decided to try to get paid for virtual visits, I would simply use

the IMH web link that I have and add an (almost free) Paypal account link to

my website.

Lynn

>

>Reply-To:

>To: < >

>Subject: Re: web design

>Date: Sun, 27 May 2007 07:03:02 -0400

>

>RE relay health vs medfusion

>

>Relay offered free website and firewall protected messaging for $23 per

>month pay 12 months up front. No website fee. Virtual visits and

>prescriptions thru Surescripts added fees ('scripts for $50). Probably

>will use Relay

>

>Medfusion wanted $700 for website up front and 2 year contract $35 min per

>month support

>

>Asked them if this was with AAFP discount said yes I'm not convinced -- if

>you're part of IPA they offer better rates though

>

>All fees NOT in writing but verbal.

>

>Let us know how it goes

>

>Dr Matt Levin

>Family Medicine

>Pittsburgh Pa

>Dr_Levin@...

>Office

>Fax.

>

>More about me--

>Using SOAPware since 1997

>Solo Practice started Dec 1st 2004 in Greensburg PA, east of Pittsburgh

>Part-time practice management and technology consultant

> web design

>

> Hello everyone,

>

> I am trying to decide how best to set up my internet presence. I want

>to be able to communicate with patients via the internet as well as just

>have my webpage. The companies I am looking hardest at to do this the

>easiest are Relay Health and the Medfusion deal with the AAFP (with an

>upgrade so I can get the secure communication). I would love some feedback

>on how you all did this and what you think of the service you have

>received, especially if you are using either Relay Health or Medfusion.

>

> Thanks,

> Lonna

>

>------------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Finding fabulous fares is fun.

> Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight

>and hotel bargains.

>

_________________________________________________________________

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_mini_protection_0507

May 27, 2007

Greg- why wouldn't IMH web link work with a payapl link? what more is

relay or medfusion offering than that, besides maybe a fancy skin over the

whole package?

Lynn

>

>Reply-To:

>To:

>Subject: Re: web design

>Date: Sun, 27 May 2007 11:19:01 -0500

>

>Depending on what you want in a website, I'll put a word out there for

>the DIY crowd. It's easier than you think to put up your own website.

>That is, if you want a website that is more of a marketing and

>educational tool. If you want a website to facilitate virtual visits and

>online scheduling/e-commerce, then stick to the professionals. But there

>are a number of free " blog " software packages available, e.g., Wordpress

>that you can install and setup without much expertise or effort. I use a

>hosting site called Nexcess.net, which charges me something like $80/yr

>for hosting, they will gladly help you install something like Wordpress,

>and then you play around with it until you have a site you feel is

>presentable. No other ongoing costs. There are a number of hosting

>companies like this out there.

>

>Using " blog " software does not mean you have to have a blog per se, but

>doing so, updating the site frequently and easily, is a great way to

>keep your patient population educated, up-to-date, and returning to the

>website. Go to Wordpress.org and look at some of the sample sites put up

>with that open source software.

>

>Again, however, if you need a site that has some of the specific

>features of RelayHealth (e.g., the online visits), then you will likely

>want to stay away from the homegrown solutions.

>

>Greg Hinson, MD

>www.ackdoc.com

>

>lynn ho wrote:

>

> >If I were going to set up a web site for a new practice, I would use a

>free

> >or cheap website hoster - and link to the free webfusion website. but

>not

> >get the paid version.

> >Right now I pay for the medfusion one notch up but not free webiste just

>so

> >I can change my content ad lib and it's about 250$? a year, no other

> >features. If I get a red minute, I will look into changing back to the

>free

> >basic website.

> >I would use non-secure email but have the patient sign the 'nonsecure'

> >disclaimer as part of the patient registration packet.

> >I am using non secure email now and have had no problems with it yet and

> >patients are really happy with having this option to contact me through.

> >I would also be fairly circumspect about what kind of things are sent via

> >email.

> >Or I might use the onebox free secure email along with the internet fax

> >voicemail options from onebox.

> >- can you comment on how much your website secure email and internet

> >fax package and paypal account costs you per month?

> >Matt how much are virtual visits through Relay?

> >The options that Matt looked into sound too expensive for my cheapskate

> >patch-it-together tastes.

> >If ever I decided to try to get paid for virtual visits, I would simply

>use

> >the IMH web link that I have and add an (almost free) Paypal account link

>to

> >my website.

> >

> >Lynn

> >

>

_________________________________________________________________

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May 27, 2007

Depending on what you want in a website, I'll put a word out there for

the DIY crowd. It's easier than you think to put up your own website.

That is, if you want a website that is more of a marketing and

educational tool. If you want a website to facilitate virtual visits and

online scheduling/e-commerce, then stick to the professionals. But there

are a number of free " blog " software packages available, e.g., Wordpress

that you can install and setup without much expertise or effort. I use a

hosting site called Nexcess.net, which charges me something like $80/yr

for hosting, they will gladly help you install something like Wordpress,

and then you play around with it until you have a site you feel is

presentable. No other ongoing costs. There are a number of hosting

companies like this out there.

Using " blog " software does not mean you have to have a blog per se, but

doing so, updating the site frequently and easily, is a great way to

keep your patient population educated, up-to-date, and returning to the

website. Go to Wordpress.org and look at some of the sample sites put up

with that open source software.

Again, however, if you need a site that has some of the specific

features of RelayHealth (e.g., the online visits), then you will likely

want to stay away from the homegrown solutions.

Greg Hinson, MD

www.ackdoc.com

lynn ho wrote:

>If I were going to set up a web site for a new practice, I would use a free

>or cheap website hoster - and link to the free webfusion website. but not

>get the paid version.

>Right now I pay for the medfusion one notch up but not free webiste just so

>I can change my content ad lib and it's about 250$? a year, no other

>features. If I get a red minute, I will look into changing back to the free

>basic website.

>I would use non-secure email but have the patient sign the 'nonsecure'

>disclaimer as part of the patient registration packet.

>I am using non secure email now and have had no problems with it yet and

>patients are really happy with having this option to contact me through.

>I would also be fairly circumspect about what kind of things are sent via

>email.

>Or I might use the onebox free secure email along with the internet fax

>voicemail options from onebox.

>- can you comment on how much your website secure email and internet

>fax package and paypal account costs you per month?

>Matt how much are virtual visits through Relay?

>The options that Matt looked into sound too expensive for my cheapskate

>patch-it-together tastes.

>If ever I decided to try to get paid for virtual visits, I would simply use

>the IMH web link that I have and add an (almost free) Paypal account link to

>my website.

>

>Lynn

>

May 27, 2007

You're absolutely right. Not too hard to do.

I have looked several times at adding such features to my site but find

that patients don't use them frequently enough to make them worth it. So

I look at the site as more of an educational/marketing tool. I get 2,000

visits a month to my site, and live in a town of 10,000! The reason is I

post pictures of the babies I deliver. It's a very popular feature.

Putting something on a site like this, something that changes and

updates frequently, is the key to getting people to bookmark and return

to the site (IMHO).

Greg

lynn ho wrote:

>Greg- why wouldn't IMH web link work with a payapl link? what more is

>relay or medfusion offering than that, besides maybe a fancy skin over the

>whole package?

>Lynn

>

>>

>>Reply-To:

>>To:

>>Subject: Re: web design

>>Date: Sun, 27 May 2007 11:19:01 -0500

>>

>>Depending on what you want in a website, I'll put a word out there for

>>the DIY crowd. It's easier than you think to put up your own website.

>>That is, if you want a website that is more of a marketing and

>>educational tool. If you want a website to facilitate virtual visits and

>>online scheduling/e-commerce, then stick to the professionals. But there

>>are a number of free " blog " software packages available, e.g., Wordpress

>>that you can install and setup without much expertise or effort. I use a

>>hosting site called Nexcess.net, which charges me something like $80/yr

>>for hosting, they will gladly help you install something like Wordpress,

>>and then you play around with it until you have a site you feel is

>>presentable. No other ongoing costs. There are a number of hosting

>>companies like this out there.

>>

>>Using " blog " software does not mean you have to have a blog per se, but

>>doing so, updating the site frequently and easily, is a great way to

>>keep your patient population educated, up-to-date, and returning to the

>>website. Go to Wordpress.org and look at some of the sample sites put up

>>with that open source software.

>>

>>Again, however, if you need a site that has some of the specific

>>features of RelayHealth (e.g., the online visits), then you will likely

>>want to stay away from the homegrown solutions.

>>

>>Greg Hinson, MD

>>www.ackdoc.com

>>

>>lynn ho wrote:

>>

>>>If I were going to set up a web site for a new practice, I would use a

>>>

>>free

>>

>>>or cheap website hoster - and link to the free webfusion website. but

>>>

>>not

>>

>>>get the paid version.

>>>Right now I pay for the medfusion one notch up but not free webiste just

>>>

>>so

>>

>>>I can change my content ad lib and it's about 250$? a year, no other

>>>features. If I get a red minute, I will look into changing back to the

>>>

>>free

>>

>>>basic website.

>>>I would use non-secure email but have the patient sign the 'nonsecure'

>>>disclaimer as part of the patient registration packet.

>>>I am using non secure email now and have had no problems with it yet and

>>>patients are really happy with having this option to contact me through.

>>>I would also be fairly circumspect about what kind of things are sent via

>>>email.

>>>Or I might use the onebox free secure email along with the internet fax

>>>voicemail options from onebox.

>>>- can you comment on how much your website secure email and internet

>>>fax package and paypal account costs you per month?

>>>Matt how much are virtual visits through Relay?

>>>The options that Matt looked into sound too expensive for my cheapskate

>>>patch-it-together tastes.

>>>If ever I decided to try to get paid for virtual visits, I would simply

>>>

>>use

>>

>>>the IMH web link that I have and add an (almost free) Paypal account link

>>>

>>to

>>

>>>my website.

>>>

>>>Lynn

>>>

>

>_________________________________________________________________

>Like the way Microsoft Office Outlook works? You’ll love Windows Live

>Hotmail.

>http://imagine-windowslive.com/hotmail/?locale=en-us & ocid=TXT_TAGHM_migration_H\

M_mini_outlook_0507

>

May 27, 2007

Thanks for your comments so far, everyone. I have a couple more questions.

I was wondering what other members in the group think about nonsecure email ... any problems for those of you using it?

Lynn, regarding Onebox, on their website I don't see anything about free secure email, but maybe it's their

"Unified Messaging" you are referring to, which is 12.95 a month. This is what it says about it:"Voicemail & Fax For Individuals

Ideal for an independent business owner.

Includes voicemail and fax services, accessible by phone, web, and your existing email." None of their product descriptions say anything about secure email, but I admit I could easily be missing something. I will call them next week to see what a salesperson has to say, and I have sent them an email.

Does anyone have any recommendations for cheap or free webhosting? In perusing some of your websites I have noticed a couple people using myevent.com, which looks like it costs 9.95 a month, and makes a very attractive site ( Greaves and Sharon McCoy , I dont' know if she's on the listserve ... I'm getting these sites from the Google map).

In addition to the website itself, I'd like email (secure, I thought, but maybe not) and online appointment scheduling (Appointment Quest). I also like the AAFP stuff that Medfusion brings in. I think RelayHealth and Medfusion both offer a referral service, where partiallists (I love that) can look you up and get referred patients' information, an e-Rx feature, an IMH-like feature and a charging/collection service. I am starting out as cash only (!), but if this doesn't work, I may have to add billing, so the billing feature could be attractive down the line. I have to admit, I am seduced by the "fancy skin" that Medfusion offers, but all that extra stuff is pretty pricey, is available elsewhere for cheaper or isn't really necessary/doesn't jibe with the low overhead model. The free website and firewall protected email sounds good (Larry), but so far

I am having an hard time getting someone who knows what they're talking about at RelayHealth to call me back.

As a related question, what practice management system do people use (related because of the billing service).

Any other comments or answers would be very much appreciated. THANKS!

Lonna

Re: web design>Date: Sun, 27 May 2007 11:19:01 -0500>>Depending on what you want in a website, I'll put a word out there for>the DIY crowd. It's easier than you think to put up your own website.>That is, if you want a website that is more of a marketing and>educational tool. If you want a website to facilitate virtual visits and>online scheduling/e-commerce, then stick to the professionals. But there>are a number of free "blog" software packages available, e.g., Wordpress>that you can install and setup

without much expertise or effort. I use a>hosting site called Nexcess.net, which charges me something like $80/yr>for hosting, they will gladly help you install something like Wordpress,>and then you play around with it until you have a site you feel is>presentable. No other ongoing costs. There are a number of hosting>companies like this out there.>>Using "blog" software does not mean you have to have a blog per se, but>doing so, updating the site frequently and easily, is a great way to>keep your patient population educated, up-to-date, and returning to the>website. Go to Wordpress.org and look at some of the sample sites put up>with that open source software.>>Again, however, if you need a site that has some of the specific>features of RelayHealth (e.g., the online visits), then you will likely>want to stay away from the homegrown solutions.>>Greg

Hinson, MD>www.ackdoc.com>>>>>lynn ho wrote:>> >If I were going to set up a web site for a new practice, I would use a >free> >or cheap website hoster - and link to the free webfusion website. but >not> >get the paid version.> >Right now I pay for the medfusion one notch up but not free webiste just >so> >I can change my content ad lib and it's about 250$? a year, no other> >features. If I get a red minute, I will look into changing back to the >free> >basic website.> >I would use non-secure email but have the patient sign the 'nonsecure'> >disclaimer as part of the patient registration packet.> >I am using non secure email now and have had no problems with it yet and> >patients are really happy with having this

option to contact me through.> >I would also be fairly circumspect about what kind of things are sent via> >email.> >Or I might use the onebox free secure email along with the internet fax> >voicemail options from onebox.> >- can you comment on how much your website secure email and internet> >fax package and paypal account costs you per month?> >Matt how much are virtual visits through Relay?> >The options that Matt looked into sound too expensive for my cheapskate> >patch-it-together tastes.> >If ever I decided to try to get paid for virtual visits, I would simply >use> >the IMH web link that I have and add an (almost free) Paypal account link >to> >my website.> >> >Lynn> >> >> >>_________________________________________________________________Like the way Microsoft

Office Outlook works? YouÃÍl love Windows Live Hotmail. http://imagine-windowslive.com/hotmail/?locale=en-us & ocid=TXT_TAGHM_migration_HM_mini_outlook_0507

May 28, 2007

Hi Lonna -

I use nonsecure email *I think* I use comcast out of my home and I

think I better research what exactly encrypted/secured means as

I am guessing that this is not secure. We do have a router with a

password and only folks that can access are me and my husband and 2

tenants that live in our rental.

IN the end I do not think it really matters because my preference

is to only allow pts to discuss admin/scheduling and nonmedical

stuff on email with me. It has worked great for me. I always include

the following blurb at the end of emails as a reminder to them...

A Helpful Reminder

Office email is not for discussion of medical issues. Please call the

office if you are concerned about a medical problem. Feel free to

email with administrative, billing, or scheduling issues. Remember

- refills/referrals are not granted between office visits so please

request refills/referrals at the time of your office visit.

Hope this helps.

Pamela

> >

> > >If I were going to set up a web site for a new practice, I would use a

> >free

> > >or cheap website hoster - and link to the free webfusion website. but

> >not

> > >get the paid version.

> > >Right now I pay for the medfusion one notch up but not free webiste just

> >so

> > >I can change my content ad lib and it's about 250$? a year, no other

> > >features. If I get a red minute, I will look into changing back to the

> >free

> > >basic website.

> > >I would use non-secure email but have the patient sign the 'nonsecure'

> > >disclaimer as part of the patient registration packet.

> > >I am using non secure email now and have had no problems with it yet and

> > >patients are really happy with having this option to contact me through.

> > >I would also be fairly circumspect about what kind of things are sent via

> > >email.

> > >Or I might use the onebox free secure email along with the internet fax

> > >voicemail options from onebox.

> > >- can you comment on how much your website secure email and internet

> > >fax package and paypal account costs you per month?

> > >Matt how much are virtual visits through Relay?

> > >The options that Matt looked into sound too expensive for my cheapskate

> > >patch-it-together tastes.

> > >If ever I decided to try to get paid for virtual visits, I would simply

> >use

> > >the IMH web link that I have and add an (almost free) Paypal account link

> >to

> > >my website.

> > >

> > >Lynn

> > >

> >

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Like the way Microsoft Office Outlook works? YouÃÍl love Windows Live

> Hotmail.

> http://imagine-windowslive.com/hotmail/?locale=en-

us & ocid=TXT_TAGHM_migration_HM_mini_outlook_0507

>

May 28, 2007

Good questions! Here some attempts to answer some of them:

1. I believe non-secure email communication is ok as long as your

patients are ok with it: " Although unencrypted e-mail does raise

privacy and security concerns that may need to be addressed ..., it

does not violate the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability

Act (HIPAA) as long as patients are informed of the associated risks

and accept them. " . See this article in FPM:

http://www.aafp.org/fpm/20040300/93comm.html

There has been a precise guideline statement issued by AMIA (American

Medical Informatics Association) on this issue:

http://www.amia.org/mbrcenter/pubs/email_guidelines.asp

I believe I saw an update on this recently but am unable to find it. I

do have it somewhere in my archives so if anyone needs it, I can look

again.

2. I am not yet a user of Onebox but believe it does offer secure

email. I believe you have to turn on the option or somethin'. I'd

appreciate if you could keep me posted on this issue after your sales

call.

3. In terms of cheap wehbhosting, I wholeheartedly recommend

www.siteground.com for about $6 a month. Look at my website

www.evergreenfamilymedicine.com . I made it in Nullkommanix of time as

the Germans say (I am German and therefore say it . HTML knowledge

is not needed at all.

If you like it, use the banner on my website to sign up with

siteground and I'll get credit for you as a new customer.

4. I will probably use Altapoint as a PM software with either

OfficeAlly or THIN as a free clearinghouse. I definitely want to do

electronic billing and ERA (electronic remittance advice) so the

combination should work.

Please let me know if you have any other questions. Marius

> >

> > >If I were going to set up a web site for a new practice, I would

use a

> >free

> > >or cheap website hoster - and link to the free webfusion

website. but

> >not

> > >get the paid version.

> > >Right now I pay for the medfusion one notch up but not free

webiste just

> >so

> > >I can change my content ad lib and it's about 250$? a year, no other

> > >features. If I get a red minute, I will look into changing back

to the

> >free

> > >basic website.

> > >I would use non-secure email but have the patient sign the

'nonsecure'

> > >disclaimer as part of the patient registration packet.

> > >I am using non secure email now and have had no problems with it

yet and

> > >patients are really happy with having this option to contact me

through.

> > >I would also be fairly circumspect about what kind of things are

sent via

> > >email.

> > >Or I might use the onebox free secure email along with the

internet fax

> > >voicemail options from onebox.

> > >- can you comment on how much your website secure email and

internet

> > >fax package and paypal account costs you per month?

> > >Matt how much are virtual visits through Relay?

> > >The options that Matt looked into sound too expensive for my

cheapskate

> > >patch-it-together tastes.

> > >If ever I decided to try to get paid for virtual visits, I would

simply

> >use

> > >the IMH web link that I have and add an (almost free) Paypal

account link

> >to

> > >my website.

> > >

> > >Lynn

> > >

> >

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Like the way Microsoft Office Outlook works? YouÃÍl love Windows Live

> Hotmail.

>

http://imagine-windowslive.com/hotmail/?locale=en-us & ocid=TXT_TAGHM_migration_HM\

_mini_outlook_0507

>

May 28, 2007

Lonna

buried in another post just prior to this one is the answer about the secure

email. If that doesn't explain it for you, please ask me again and I will

try explain better.

Lynn

>

>Reply-To:

>To:

>Subject: Re: web design

>Date: Sun, 27 May 2007 13:25:50 -0700 (PDT)

>

>Thanks for your comments so far, everyone. I have a couple more questions.

>I was wondering what other members in the group think about nonsecure email

>... any problems for those of you using it?

>

>Lynn, regarding Onebox, on their website I don't see anything about free

>secure email, but maybe it's their

> " Unified Messaging " you are referring to, which is 12.95 a month. This is

>what it says about it:

> " Voicemail & Fax For Individuals

>Ideal for an independent business owner.

>Includes voicemail and fax services, accessible by phone, web, and your

>existing email. " None of their product descriptions say anything about

>secure email, but I admit I could easily be missing something. I will call

>them next week to see what a salesperson has to say, and I have sent them

>an email.

>

>Does anyone have any recommendations for cheap or free webhosting? In

>perusing some of your websites I have noticed a couple people using

>myevent.com, which looks like it costs 9.95 a month, and makes a very

>attractive site ( Greaves and Sharon McCoy , I dont' know if

>she's on the listserve ... I'm getting these sites from the Google map).

>

>In addition to the website itself, I'd like email (secure, I thought, but

>maybe not) and online appointment scheduling (Appointment Quest). I also

>like the AAFP stuff that Medfusion brings in. I think RelayHealth and

>Medfusion both offer a referral service, where partiallists (I love that)

>can look you up and get referred patients' information, an e-Rx feature, an

>IMH-like feature and a charging/collection service. I am starting out as

>cash only (!), but if this doesn't work, I may have to add billing, so the

>billing feature could be attractive down the line. I have to admit, I am

>seduced by the " fancy skin " that Medfusion offers, but all that extra stuff

>is pretty pricey, is available elsewhere for cheaper or isn't really

>necessary/doesn't jibe with the low overhead model. The free website and

>firewall protected email sounds good (Larry), but so far I am having an

>hard time getting someone who knows what they're talking about at

>RelayHealth to call me back.

>

>As a related question, what practice management system do people use

>(related because of the billing service).

>

>Any other comments or answers would be very much appreciated. THANKS!

>

>Lonna

>

> Re: web design

> >Date: Sun, 27 May 2007 11:19:01 -0500

> >

> >Depending on what you want in a website, I'll put a word out there for

> >the DIY crowd. It's easier than you think to put up your own website.

> >That is, if you want a website that is more of a marketing and

> >educational tool. If you want a website to facilitate virtual visits and

> >online scheduling/e-commerce, then stick to the professionals. But there

> >are a number of free " blog " software packages available, e.g., Wordpress

> >that you can install and setup without much expertise or effort. I use a

> >hosting site called Nexcess.net, which charges me something like $80/yr

> >for hosting, they will gladly help you install something like Wordpress,

> >and then you play around with it until you have a site you feel is

> >presentable. No other ongoing costs. There are a number of hosting

> >companies like this out there.

> >

> >Using " blog " software does not mean you have to have a blog per se, but

> >doing so, updating the site frequently and easily, is a great way to

> >keep your patient population educated, up-to-date, and returning to the

> >website. Go to Wordpress.org and look at some of the sample sites put up

> >with that open source software.

> >

> >Again, however, if you need a site that has some of the specific

> >features of RelayHealth (e.g., the online visits), then you will likely

> >want to stay away from the homegrown solutions.

> >

> >Greg Hinson, MD

> >www.ackdoc.com

> >

> >lynn ho wrote:

> >

> > >If I were going to set up a web site for a new practice, I would use a

> >free

> > >or cheap website hoster - and link to the free webfusion website. but

> >not

> > >get the paid version.

> > >Right now I pay for the medfusion one notch up but not free webiste

>just

> >so

> > >I can change my content ad lib and it's about 250$? a year, no other

> > >features. If I get a red minute, I will look into changing back to the

> >free

> > >basic website.

> > >I would use non-secure email but have the patient sign the 'nonsecure'

> > >disclaimer as part of the patient registration packet.

> > >I am using non secure email now and have had no problems with it yet

>and

> > >patients are really happy with having this option to contact me

>through.

> > >I would also be fairly circumspect about what kind of things are sent

>via

> > >email.

> > >Or I might use the onebox free secure email along with the internet fax

> > >voicemail options from onebox.

> > >- can you comment on how much your website secure email and

>internet

> > >fax package and paypal account costs you per month?

> > >Matt how much are virtual visits through Relay?

> > >The options that Matt looked into sound too expensive for my cheapskate

> > >patch-it-together tastes.

> > >If ever I decided to try to get paid for virtual visits, I would simply

> >use

> > >the IMH web link that I have and add an (almost free) Paypal account

>link

> >to

> > >my website.

> > >

> > >Lynn

> > >

> >

>

>_________________________________________________________________

>Like the way Microsoft Office Outlook works? You’ll love Windows Live

>Hotmail.

>http://imagine-windowslive.com/hotmail/?locale=en-us & ocid=TXT_TAGHM_migration_H\

M_mini_outlook_0507

>

May 28, 2007

Sorry gang, I am a bit behind on the listserve. Per Lynn's request,

here is my ultra-cheap and I think highly functional system:

Website: www.Brinkster.com $4.95/mo " personal " package. Simple

templates. You don't need to know a lick of programming for a simple

site. My site is www.clemfm.com. I also have the free Medfusion site

that I link to for patient information handouts. Website links to:

-AppointmentQuest ($25/month for all scheduling needs)

-Instant Medical History ($50/month),also on waiting room computer.

-FREE Paypal site for online copays (will not work with HSA debit

cards as Paypal cannot guarantee the payment is for health related

costs). Paypal just charges a competitive transaction fee.

Email, voicemail, internet faxing: Onebox " unified messaging " :

gives me toll free number for fax and voicemail. $13.95 month gives

me all voicemails,and emials included and 100 fax pages. I pay .10

per fax page after that. (I use internet faxing sparingly)

SECURE EMAIL: I offer all of my patients FREE secure email only

accounts through www.updoxmail.com, IF they want to use it. These

are provided gratis by onebox. All onebox to onebox emails are ssl

encrypted and meet the same standard as the high cost secure email

systems (medfusion,etc). All patients sign an E-mail waiver form.

UpDox ($250/year with Amazing Charts Integration) allows me to SEND

all PHR emails encrypted regardless if my patients have a secure

email address or not. Therefore, while I cannot controll how people

send me information, I can certainly controll how I send it and

protect myself.

Total average cost for all of the above:

Around: $115 plus about $5-7 for extra faxes on busy months.

I hope this helps.

>

> Hello everyone,

>

> I am trying to decide how best to set up my internet presence. I

want to be able to communicate with patients via the internet as well

as just have my webpage. The companies I am looking hardest at to do

this the easiest are Relay Health and the Medfusion deal with the

AAFP (with an upgrade so I can get the secure communication). I

would love some feedback on how you all did this and what you think

of the service you have received, especially if you are using either

Relay Health or Medfusion.

>

> Thanks,

> Lonna

>

______________________________________________________________________

______________Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search

> that gives answers, not web links.

> http://mobile.yahoo.com/mobileweb/onesearch?refer=1ONXIC

>

May 28, 2007

Thanks again for all the tips on this everyone. I will keep you posted on what I decide on.

Lonna

Re: web design

Sorry gang, I am a bit behind on the listserve. Per Lynn's request, here is my ultra-cheap and I think highly functional system:Website: www.Brinkster. com $4.95/mo "personal" package. Simple templates. You don't need to know a lick of programming for a simple site. My site is www.clemfm.com. I also have the free Medfusion site that I link to for patient information handouts. Website links to:-AppointmentQuest ($25/month for all scheduling needs)-Instant Medical History ($50/month), also on waiting room computer.-FREE Paypal site for online copays (will not work with HSA debit cards as Paypal cannot guarantee the payment is for health related costs). Paypal just charges a competitive transaction fee. Email, voicemail, internet faxing: Onebox "unified messaging": gives me toll free number for fax and voicemail. $13.95 month gives me all voicemails,and emials included and 100 fax pages. I pay .10 per fax page after

that. (I use internet faxing sparingly)SECURE EMAIL: I offer all of my patients FREE secure email only accounts through www.updoxmail. com, IF they want to use it. These are provided gratis by onebox. All onebox to onebox emails are ssl encrypted and meet the same standard as the high cost secure email systems (medfusion,etc) . All patients sign an E-mail waiver form. UpDox ($250/year with Amazing Charts Integration) allows me to SEND all PHR emails encrypted regardless if my patients have a secure email address or not. Therefore, while I cannot controll how people send me information, I can certainly controll how I send it and protect myself.Total average cost for all of the above:Around: $115 plus about $5-7 for extra faxes on busy months. I hope this helps. >> Hello everyone,> > I am trying to decide how best to set up my internet presence. I want to be able to communicate with patients via the internet as well as just have my webpage. The companies I am looking hardest at to do this the easiest are Relay Health and the Medfusion deal with the AAFP (with an upgrade so I can get the secure communication) . I would love some feedback on how you all did this and what you think of the service you have received, especially if you are using either Relay Health or Medfusion.> > Thanks, > Lonna> > > > ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _____________ __Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search > that gives answers, not web links. > http://mobile. yahoo.com/

mobileweb/ onesearch? refer=1ONXIC>

Moody friends. Drama queens. Your life? Nope! - their life, your story. Play Sims Stories at Yahoo! Games.

May 29, 2007

See below

Re: web design

Sorry gang, I am a bit behind on the listserve. Per Lynn's request,

here is my ultra-cheap and I think highly functional system:

Website: www.Brinkster.com $4.95/mo " personal " package. Simple

templates. You don't need to know a lick of programming for a simple

site. My site is www.clemfm.com. I also have the free Medfusion site

that I link to for patient information handouts. Website links to:

-AppointmentQuest ($25/month for all scheduling needs)

-Instant Medical History ($50/month),also on waiting room computer.

-FREE Paypal site for online copays (will not

work with HSA debit

cards as Paypal cannot guarantee the payment is for health related

costs). That is what I have wanted to know! So if Paypal can’t

be sure a charge is an approved medical expense, can ANY credit card processing

service??? So what do

you do with those debit cards if no one will process them? I have heard that there are checks issued

by the HSAs…is that true?

Annie

Paypal

just charges a competitive transaction fee.

Email, voicemail, internet faxing: Onebox " unified messaging " :

gives me toll free number for fax and voicemail. $13.95 month gives

me all voicemails,and emials included and 100 fax pages. I pay .10

per fax page after that. (I use internet faxing sparingly)

SECURE EMAIL: I offer all of my patients FREE

secure email only

accounts through www.updoxmail.com, IF they want to use it. These

are provided gratis by onebox. All onebox to onebox emails are ssl

encrypted and meet the same standard as the high cost secure email

systems (medfusion,etc). All patients sign an E-mail waiver form.

UpDox ($250/year with Amazing Charts Integration) allows me to SEND

all PHR emails encrypted regardless if my

patients have a secure

email address or not. Therefore, while I cannot controll how people

send me information, I can certainly controll how I send it and

protect myself.

Total average cost for all of the above:

Around: $115 plus about $5-7 for extra faxes on busy months.

I hope this helps.

>

> Hello everyone,

>

> I am trying to decide how best to set up my internet presence. I

want to be able to communicate with patients via the internet as well

as just have my webpage. The companies I am looking hardest at to do

this the easiest are Relay Health and the Medfusion deal with the

AAFP (with an upgrade so I can get the secure communication). I

would love some feedback on how you all did this and what you think

of the service you have received, especially if you are using either

Relay Health or Medfusion.

>

> Thanks,

> Lonna

>

__________________________________________________________

______________Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search

> that gives answers, not web links.

> http://mobile.yahoo.com/mobileweb/onesearch?refer=1ONXIC

>

May 29, 2007

Annie,

Yep, saw that too. Seems you can never

just outright own anything. Just lease. Hopefully fair market forces will

keep prices from jumping.

Kathy

May 29, 2007

Annie

I have processed some HSA debit cards on my credit card machine and they

have gone through just fine. I think somehow or other I am registered as a

doctor's office? have not had a problem with these. But also, I have some

patients who simply write me a check after I submit to their insurance to

find out how much they are supposed to pay. They then just submit the

canceled check to their HSA and reimbursed.

Is that what you are asking?

Lynn

>

>Reply-To:

>To: < >

>Subject: RE: Re: web design

>Date: Mon, 28 May 2007 22:43:09 -0400

>

>See below

>

> Re: web design

>

>Sorry gang, I am a bit behind on the listserve. Per Lynn's request,

>here is my ultra-cheap and I think highly functional system:

>Website: www.Brinkster.com $4.95/mo " personal " package. Simple

>templates. You don't need to know a lick of programming for a simple

>site. My site is www.clemfm.com. I also have the free Medfusion site

>that I link to for patient information handouts. Website links to:

>-AppointmentQuest ($25/month for all scheduling needs)

>-Instant Medical History ($50/month),also on waiting room computer.

>-FREE Paypal site for online copays (will not work with HSA debit

>cards as Paypal cannot guarantee the payment is for health related

>costs). That is what I have wanted to know! So if Paypal can't be

>sure a charge is an approved medical expense, can ANY credit card

>processing service??? So what do you do with those debit cards if no

>one will process them? I have heard that there are checks issued by the

>HSAs.is that true?

>Annie

>

> Paypal just charges a competitive transaction fee.

>Email, voicemail, internet faxing: Onebox " unified messaging " :

>gives me toll free number for fax and voicemail. $13.95 month gives

>me all voicemails,and emials included and 100 fax pages. I pay .10

>per fax page after that. (I use internet faxing sparingly)

>SECURE EMAIL: I offer all of my patients FREE secure email only

>accounts through www.updoxmail.com, IF they want to use it. These

>are provided gratis by onebox. All onebox to onebox emails are ssl

>encrypted and meet the same standard as the high cost secure email

>systems (medfusion,etc). All patients sign an E-mail waiver form.

>UpDox ($250/year with Amazing Charts Integration) allows me to SEND

>all PHR emails encrypted regardless if my patients have a secure

>email address or not. Therefore, while I cannot controll how people

>send me information, I can certainly controll how I send it and

>protect myself.

>Total average cost for all of the above:

>Around: $115 plus about $5-7 for extra faxes on busy months.

>I hope this helps.

>

> >

> > Hello everyone,

> >

> > I am trying to decide how best to set up my internet presence. I

>want to be able to communicate with patients via the internet as well

>as just have my webpage. The companies I am looking hardest at to do

>this the easiest are Relay Health and the Medfusion deal with the

>AAFP (with an upgrade so I can get the secure communication). I

>would love some feedback on how you all did this and what you think

>of the service you have received, especially if you are using either

>Relay Health or Medfusion.

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Lonna

> >

>__________________________________________________________

>______________Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search

> > that gives answers, not web links.

> > http://mobile.

><http://mobile.yahoo.com/mobileweb/onesearch?refer=1ONXIC>

>yahoo.com/mobileweb/onesearch?refer=1ONXIC

> >

>

_________________________________________________________________

Like the way Microsoft Office Outlook works? You’ll love Windows Live

Hotmail.

http://imagine-windowslive.com/hotmail/?locale=en-us & ocid=TXT_TAGHM_migration_HM\

_mini_outlook_0507

May 29, 2007

Lonna,I use RelayHealth as my practice home page, and I have been very satisfied with them so far. I pay $50/month, which I have heard has gone up for new subscribers, but I don't know by how much. I guess I am lucky that RelayHealth has continued to charge me the same rate for now. If they raised their rates, I might have to start checking out other options. I got it mainly for the secure communication function, which seems to work well. Patients have to register in order to use it, but it is free. There is also a "Web Visits" function which includes various templates for common problems that patients can answer. You can set whatever fee you want for these, but RelayHealth "suggests" $30. Some insurers claim they will cover these Web Visits, but since I've only had 2 so far, it has been hard to tell. Most of the time patients just send me a free message and I answer it for free, if I can, or I tell them they need to come in.RelayHealth also has ePrescribing, which I have been using more and more. I had been using eRxNow, the free ePrescribing service from AllScripts but when I found out that I could use the eScript function of RelayHealth (which I was already paying for), I decided that it made more sense for me to use one online service. The RelayHealth representative said that they are coming out with a way for patients to make payments online soon. I forgot to ask about online scheduling. I remember looking at Medfusion also and thinking they seemed kind of expensive when I added up all the functions I wanted to use. Maybe it is more competitive in price now.Most of my patients use regular e-mail for online communication. I make everyone sign a consent form acknowledging that regular e-mail is not confidential and that they are okay with that. I also remind them that they shouldn't put any sensitive stuff in regular e-mail and offer them the option of secure messaging through my practice website. For my web address, I reserved a domain name (www.drgaryseto.com) at GoDaddy.com for about $9/year and have it automatically forward everything to my RelayHealth address (which is much harder to remember). One other benefit of doing it this way is that if I ever decided to switch my home page provider, all I'd have to do is have my domain name point to a different web address, and I wouldn't have to change my practice website address. You can reserve a domain name at any of a number of domain name registrars. Someday I'd like to design and host my own practice website, but for now I'm happy not having to worry about that aspect of my practice.I have no financial interest in any of the above mentioned companies. Best of luck, Lonna! SetoSouth Pasadena, CAHello everyone, I am trying to decide how best to set up my internet presence. I want to be able to communicate with patients via the internet as well as just have my webpage. The companies I am looking hardest at to do this the easiest are Relay Health and the Medfusion deal with the AAFP (with an upgrade so I can get the secure communication). I would love some feedback on how you all did this and what you think of the service you have received, especially if you are using either Relay Health or Medfusion. Thanks,LonnaFinding fabulous fares is fun.Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains.

May 29, 2007

:

How do you find the “web visit”

feature templates with RelayHealth? I have Medfusion and the templates

are direct from “Instant Medical History”. They are good for

some things, but very poor when it comes to doing medication follow-up (for

things like stable depression, hypothyroid, hyperlipidemia, etc.) which is

where I see the biggest utility for my practice style. For now, I have

Medfusion, as it is part of TransforMed effort, but this particular feature has

been rather disappointing.

Ramona

Ramona G. Seidel, MD

www.baycrossingfamilymedicine.com

Your Bridge to Health

410 349-2250

polis, MD

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Seto

Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 1:22

AM

To:

Subject: Re:

web design

Lonna,

I use RelayHealth as my practice home page, and I have been very

satisfied with them so far. I pay $50/month, which I have heard has gone up for

new subscribers, but I don't know by how much. I guess I am lucky that

RelayHealth has continued to charge me the same rate for now. If they raised

their rates, I might have to start checking out other options. I got it mainly

for the secure communication function, which seems to work well. Patients have

to register in order to use it, but it is free. There is also a " Web

Visits " function which includes various templates for common problems that

patients can answer. You can set whatever fee you want for these, but

RelayHealth " suggests " $30. Some insurers claim they will cover these

Web Visits, but since I've only had 2 so far, it has been hard to tell. Most of

the time patients just send me a free message and I answer it for free, if I

can, or I tell them they need to come in.

RelayHealth also has ePrescribing, which I have been using more and

more. I had been using eRxNow, the free ePrescribing service from AllScripts

but when I found out that I could use the eScript function of RelayHealth

(which I was already paying for), I decided that it made more sense for me to

use one online service. The RelayHealth representative said that they are

coming out with a way for patients to make payments online soon. I forgot to

ask about online scheduling. I remember looking at Medfusion also and thinking

they seemed kind of expensive when I added up all the functions I wanted to

use. Maybe it is more competitive in price now.

Most of my patients use regular e-mail for online communication. I make

everyone sign a consent form acknowledging that regular e-mail is not

confidential and that they are okay with that. I also remind them that they

shouldn't put any sensitive stuff in regular e-mail and offer them the option

of secure messaging through my practice website.

For my web address, I reserved a domain name (www.drgaryseto.com) at GoDaddy.com

for about $9/year and have it automatically forward everything to my

RelayHealth address (which is much harder to remember). One other benefit of

doing it this way is that if I ever decided to switch my home page provider,

all I'd have to do is have my domain name point to a different web address, and

I wouldn't have to change my practice website address. You can reserve a domain

name at any of a number of domain name registrars.

Someday I'd like to design and host my own practice website, but for

now I'm happy not having to worry about that aspect of my practice.

I have no financial interest in any of the above mentioned companies.

Best of luck, Lonna!

Seto

South Pasadena,

CA

Hello

everyone,

I am trying

to decide how best to set up my internet presence. I want to be able to

communicate with patients via the internet as well as just have my webpage. The

companies I am looking hardest at to do this the easiest are Relay Health and

the Medfusion deal with the AAFP (with an upgrade so I can get the secure

communication). I

would love some feedback on how you all did this and what you think of the

service you have received, especially if you are using either Relay Health or

Medfusion.

Thanks,

Lonna

Finding

fabulous fares is fun.

Let Yahoo! FareChase search your

favorite travel sites to find flight and

hotel bargains.

May 30, 2007

Thanks and everyone else who has chipped in with advice on this topic.

Thank you also for reminding me about the free prescibing service with Allscripts. I knew someone had that, but couldn't remember who.

Marius, today I did look into secure email with Onebox. They now have another division called ElectricMail that has the secure free email. If I decide to set up my own webpage (which I am leaning toward), I will get this, and I'll let you know more about how to turn on the secure part of it and how I like it.

Ramona, and anyone else who uses the Medfusion IMH templates, it sounds like Medfusion doesn't have ALL the IMH templates, just some of them. Is that right? Sounds like Lynn really likes IMH, anyone else have things to say about it?

Thanks again,

Lonna

Re: web design

Lonna,

I use RelayHealth as my practice home page, and I have been very satisfied with them so far. I pay $50/month, which I have heard has gone up for new subscribers, but I don't know by how much. I guess I am lucky that RelayHealth has continued to charge me the same rate for now. If they raised their rates, I might have to start checking out other options. I got it mainly for the secure communication function, which seems to work well. Patients have to register in order to use it, but it is free. There is also a "Web Visits" function which includes various templates for common problems that patients can answer. You can set whatever fee you want for these, but RelayHealth "suggests" $30. Some insurers claim they will cover these Web Visits, but since I've only had 2 so far, it has been hard to tell. Most of the time patients just send me a free message and I answer it for free, if I can, or I tell them they need to come in.

RelayHealth also has ePrescribing, which I have been using more and more. I had been using eRxNow, the free ePrescribing service from AllScripts but when I found out that I could use the eScript function of RelayHealth (which I was already paying for), I decided that it made more sense for me to use one online service. The RelayHealth representative said that they are coming out with a way for patients to make payments online soon. I forgot to ask about online scheduling. I remember looking at Medfusion also and thinking they seemed kind of expensive when I added up all the functions I wanted to use. Maybe it is more competitive in price now.

Most of my patients use regular e-mail for online communication. I make everyone sign a consent form acknowledging that regular e-mail is not confidential and that they are okay with that. I also remind them that they shouldn't put any sensitive stuff in regular e-mail and offer them the option of secure messaging through my practice website.

For my web address, I reserved a domain name (www.drgaryseto. com) at GoDaddy.com for about $9/year and have it automatically forward everything to my RelayHealth address (which is much harder to remember). One other benefit of doing it this way is that if I ever decided to switch my home page provider, all I'd have to do is have my domain name point to a different web address, and I wouldn't have to change my practice website address. You can reserve a domain name at any of a number of domain name registrars.

Someday I'd like to design and host my own practice website, but for now I'm happy not having to worry about that aspect of my practice.

I have no financial interest in any of the above mentioned companies. Best of luck, Lonna!

Seto

South Pasadena, CA

Hello everyone,

I am trying to decide how best to set up my internet presence. I want to be able to communicate with patients via the internet as well as just have my webpage. The companies I am looking hardest at to do this the easiest are Relay Health and the Medfusion deal with the AAFP (with an upgrade so I can get the secure communication). I would love some feedback on how you all did this and what you think of the service you have received, especially if you are using either Relay Health or Medfusion.

Thanks,

Lonna

Finding fabulous fares is fun.Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find flight and hotel bargains.

Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles.Visit the Yahoo! Auto Green Center.

May 30, 2007

Thanks and everyone else who has chipped in with advice on this topic.

Thank you also for reminding me about the free prescibing service with Allscripts. I knew someone had that, but couldn't remember who.

Marius, today I did look into secure email with Onebox. They now have another division called ElectricMail that has the secure free email. If I decide to set up my own webpage (which I am leaning toward), I will get this, and I'll let you know more about how to turn on the secure part of it and how I like it.

Ramona, and anyone else who uses the Medfusion IMH templates, it sounds like Medfusion doesn't have ALL the IMH templates, just some of them. Is that right? Sounds like Lynn really likes IMH, anyone else have things to say about it?

Thanks again,

Lonna

Re: web design

Lonna,

I use RelayHealth as my practice home page, and I have been very satisfied with them so far. I pay $50/month, which I have heard has gone up for new subscribers, but I don't know by how much. I guess I am lucky that RelayHealth has continued to charge me the same rate for now. If they raised their rates, I might have to start checking out other options. I got it mainly for the secure communication function, which seems to work well. Patients have to register in order to use it, but it is free. There is also a "Web Visits" function which includes various templates for common problems that patients can answer. You can set whatever fee you want for these, but RelayHealth "suggests" $30. Some insurers claim they will cover these Web Visits, but since I've only had 2 so far, it has been hard to tell. Most of the time patients just send me a free message and I answer it for free, if I can, or I tell them they need to come in.

RelayHealth also has ePrescribing, which I have been using more and more. I had been using eRxNow, the free ePrescribing service from AllScripts but when I found out that I could use the eScript function of RelayHealth (which I was already paying for), I decided that it made more sense for me to use one online service. The RelayHealth representative said that they are coming out with a way for patients to make payments online soon. I forgot to ask about online scheduling. I remember looking at Medfusion also and thinking they seemed kind of expensive when I added up all the functions I wanted to use. Maybe it is more competitive in price now.

Most of my patients use regular e-mail for online communication. I make everyone sign a consent form acknowledging that regular e-mail is not confidential and that they are okay with that. I also remind them that they shouldn't put any sensitive stuff in regular e-mail and offer them the option of secure messaging through my practice website.

For my web address, I reserved a domain name (www.drgaryseto. com) at GoDaddy.com for about $9/year and have it automatically forward everything to my RelayHealth address (which is much harder to remember). One other benefit of doing it this way is that if I ever decided to switch my home page provider, all I'd have to do is have my domain name point to a different web address, and I wouldn't have to change my practice website address. You can reserve a domain name at any of a number of domain name registrars.

Someday I'd like to design and host my own practice website, but for now I'm happy not having to worry about that aspect of my practice.

I have no financial interest in any of the above mentioned companies. Best of luck, Lonna!

Seto

South Pasadena, CA

Hello everyone,

I am trying to decide how best to set up my internet presence. I want to be able to communicate with patients via the internet as well as just have my webpage. The companies I am looking hardest at to do this the easiest are Relay Health and the Medfusion deal with the AAFP (with an upgrade so I can get the secure communication). I would love some feedback on how you all did this and what you think of the service you have received, especially if you are using either Relay Health or Medfusion.

Thanks,

Lonna

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May 30, 2007

I really like IMH also. I have been

using it for a couple of months. It generally takes a good history;

sometimes too good. You get into the room and just review what the

patient said, you don’t have to write anything. The bullets are

there for coding. And then you can spend time reviewing Health

Maintenance, updating family history, chit-chatting. I don’t have

anyone using it from h ome yet but that’s why I am looking at a web

site too to make this easier.

Kathy Saradarian, MD

Branchville, NJ

Solo low-staff practice since

4/03

In practice since 9/90

Practice Partner User since 5/03

May 30, 2007

I really like IMH also. I have been

using it for a couple of months. It generally takes a good history;

sometimes too good. You get into the room and just review what the

patient said, you don’t have to write anything. The bullets are

there for coding. And then you can spend time reviewing Health

Maintenance, updating family history, chit-chatting. I don’t have

anyone using it from h ome yet but that’s why I am looking at a web

site too to make this easier.

Kathy Saradarian, MD

Branchville, NJ

Solo low-staff practice since

4/03

In practice since 9/90

Practice Partner User since 5/03

May 30, 2007

Lonna,

I started with IMH but discontinued using it for these reasons:

1) Most of my patients call to schedule an appointment (vs. my online

option). Since I do my own scheduling, whether I would seek it out

or not, they have typically have given me the bulk of the history by

the end of the phone call, and I enter it as they talk. It would be

redundant to have them complete IMH on arrival.

2) I believe that more than anything, patients want to know that you

truly listened to them, and understood them. How can I listen when

I'm reading? And how can I show I understand short of reviewing it

with them, at which point I'm talking, not them. With IMH, you risk

taking away the only opportunity that they have to control the visit,

the history (vs exam and plan discussion where you really do). I

didn't feel the slight advantage of having them enter the info offset

this.

3) I held weekly information sessions regarding my practice. The

issue of how to use IMH was consistently a question of concern at

these sessions. My goal was to remove barriers between the patient

and physician, and it seemed clear that many viewed this as a

potential barrier, whether it truly was or not.

Not every physician has the same philosophies, however, and it does

depend on your practice profile. If the bulk of my patients used

online scheduling and just wanted to get in and out, didn't care that

much about the actual interaction, I'd still use it.

Jeff Huotari

, Lonna Larsh

wrote:

>

> Thanks and everyone else who has chipped in with advice on

this topic.

> Thank you also for reminding me about the free prescibing service

with Allscripts. I knew someone had that, but couldn't remember who.

>

> Marius, today I did look into secure email with Onebox. They now

have another division called ElectricMail that has the secure free

email. If I decide to set up my own webpage (which I am leaning

toward), I will get this, and I'll let you know more about how to

turn on the secure part of it and how I like it.

>

> Ramona, and anyone else who uses the Medfusion IMH templates, it

sounds like Medfusion doesn't have ALL the IMH templates, just some

of them. Is that right? Sounds like Lynn really likes IMH, anyone

else have things to say about it?

>

> Thanks again,

> Lonna

>

> Re: web design

>

> Lonna,

> I use RelayHealth as my practice home page, and I have been very

satisfied with them so far. I pay $50/month, which I have heard has

gone up for new subscribers, but I don't know by how much. I guess I

am lucky that RelayHealth has continued to charge me the same rate

for now. If they raised their rates, I might have to start checking

out other options. I got it mainly for the secure communication

function, which seems to work well. Patients have to register in

order to use it, but it is free. There is also a " Web Visits "

function which includes various templates for common problems that

patients can answer. You can set whatever fee you want for these, but

RelayHealth " suggests " $30. Some insurers claim they will cover these

Web Visits, but since I've only had 2 so far, it has been hard to

tell. Most of the time patients just send me a free message and I

answer it for free, if I can, or I tell them they need to come in.

>

> RelayHealth also has ePrescribing, which I have been using more and

more. I had been using eRxNow, the free ePrescribing service from

AllScripts but when I found out that I could use the eScript function

of RelayHealth (which I was already paying for), I decided that it

made more sense for me to use one online service. The RelayHealth

representative said that they are coming out with a way for patients

to make payments online soon. I forgot to ask about online

scheduling. I remember looking at Medfusion also and thinking they

seemed kind of expensive when I added up all the functions I wanted

to use. Maybe it is more competitive in price now.

>

> Most of my patients use regular e-mail for online communication. I

make everyone sign a consent form acknowledging that regular e-mail

is not confidential and that they are okay with that. I also remind

them that they shouldn't put any sensitive stuff in regular e-mail

and offer them the option of secure messaging through my practice

website.

>

> For my web address, I reserved a domain name (www.drgaryseto. com)

at GoDaddy.com for about $9/year and have it automatically forward

everything to my RelayHealth address (which is much harder to

remember). One other benefit of doing it this way is that if I ever

decided to switch my home page provider, all I'd have to do is have

my domain name point to a different web address, and I wouldn't have

to change my practice website address. You can reserve a domain name

at any of a number of domain name registrars.

>

> Someday I'd like to design and host my own practice website, but

for now I'm happy not having to worry about that aspect of my

practice.

>

> I have no financial interest in any of the above mentioned

companies. Best of luck, Lonna!

>

> Seto

> South Pasadena, CA

>

> Hello everyone,

>

> I am trying to decide how best to set up my internet presence. I

want to be able to communicate with patients via the internet as well

as just have my webpage. The companies I am looking hardest at to do

this the easiest are Relay Health and the Medfusion deal with the

AAFP (with an upgrade so I can get the secure communication). I

would love some feedback on how you all did this and what you think

of the service you have received, especially if you are using either

Relay Health or Medfusion.

>

> Thanks,

> Lonna

>

> Finding fabulous fares is fun.

> Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find

flight and hotel bargains.

>

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May 30, 2007