BEST USES of the PORTAL

Portal messaging is a convenient tool that allows you to communicate with Dr. Aimée between visits. It is better than email because it’s HIPAA compliant (secure) and because every message is saved for easy recall if necessary.

In addition to to optimizing Dr. Aimée’s limited time, the following guidelines ensure that you are getting the best care possible as messaging is simply no substitute for focused in-person follow-up.

Each office visit includes ONE non-administrative follow-up portal message/conversation. If you have additional non-administrative questions, please schedule a follow-up visit. Administrative messages are not limited and include prescription issues, requests for superbills, and rx or supplement timing issues (although this information is usually in your visit summary), etc.

• When you send messages in the portal, please consider these things:

  • ‘Quick questions’ should not be longer than 5 sentences and usually cover 1-2 follow-up questions from a visit or a question regarding progress. A message that is longer than 5 sentences should be a visit.

  • ‘Updates’ should not be longer than 3-5 bullet points. An update that is longer should be a visit.

  • A message that takes longer than 5 minutes to read AND fulfill should be a visit.

  • A message that contains more than 2 requests should be a visit.

  • If your message is too long/complex, Dr. Aimée will ask you to schedule a visit.

  • Labs are not ordered through portal requests.

• Dr. Aimée will discuss and order labs with you when you are together during a visit as it allows her to be both specific and complete in what is needed, and will save you money by optimizing the choice of labs (there are many).

  • You may request a 15-Minute Lab Reorder Visit.

  • Please don’t ask for labs in advance of your visit unless it is absolutely necessary and very straightforward and specific (e.g. I need a TSH and free T4 and free T3 to recheck my thyroid). In that case, also be clear about which lab you want to do them at: Quest, Labcorp, PAMF, etc. and if you want to use your insurance or pay out of pocket (discounted) rates.

    • If your request for labs is for ‘whatever you think’, that requires a visit.

    • If you want to use insurance, be sure your insurance information is updated in your portal.

• If you haven’t seen Dr. Aimée in the last calendar year, you need a visit.

  • Annual visits are required for ongoing prescription refills

• If you need a referral for something that she hasn’t evaluated you for within the last 2 months, you need a visit.

• If you need her to complete any form or referral in a timely manner—best to schedule a visit and you can do it together in real time.

  • Otherwise expect forms/referrals to be completed within 2 -3 weeks as they are a lower priority than clinical issues.

• Need a prescription refilled? Contact your pharmacy to fax or e-prescribe a refill request at 831-465-8528. This is by far the easiest and most accurate way to get a refill.

  • If you need to message Dr. Aimée about a refill or new prescription, be sure that the pharmacy you want to use is the primary pharmacy entered into your patient portal.

  • If you are unable to do this, include the pharmacy in your message, as well as the name, address and fax number of the pharmacy.

•  Can’t remember what you are supposed to be doing for your health since your last visit?

  • Before you message Dr. Aimée with questions, please review the after-visit summary from your most recent visit in the patient portal, where she details your ongoing plan.

• Expect message response times to be within 2 business days because of the volume of messages.

Thank you for your understanding.