Starting later this month, SEARHC patients will be able to schedule appointments, message their medical team, renew prescriptions, check lab results and more, all through a new online portal.<\/p>\n
The online service is optional, and there is no charge.<\/p>\n
“We’re really excited about the MySEARHC portal,” said Dr. Cate Buley, SEARHC’s chief medical officer. “It’s really a step up.”<\/p>\n
It will be available to patients in every Southeast community served by SEARHC. Outreach will start March 29, Buley said. Everyone who has a current email address on file with SEARHC should receive an email with information on how to sign up.<\/p>\n
Patients who do not receive an email can call (907) 463-0400 to get added to the system.<\/p>\n
“Gone are the days of playing phone tag with your doctor’s office,” SEARHC said of the new service. “This isn’t just a convenient upgrade, it’s a game-changer for Southeast Alaskans who need easy, direct access to their medical records and providers without the endless calls or waiting rooms.”<\/p>\n
MySEARHC will replace a much more limited online system, Buley said. Anyone registered for the old portal will have their data moved into the new system, she said. But even if a patient was registered with the old system, they will still need to sign up for the new service.<\/p>\n
Though it offers more services, the new system is not intended to replace in-person medical appointments and is not for emergency calls, the doctor said. The new app, however, includes a feature to connect patients and health care providers for video visits.<\/p>\n
All of SEARHC’s services will be accessible through MySEARHC except for dental and physical therapy, which have their own, separate online systems, Buley said.<\/p>\n
Another feature of the new system is the ability for patients to view their itemized bills, after any insurance payments are applied.<\/p>\n
SEARHC is contracting with MEDITECH for the online portal, Buley said. MEDITECH is an international provider of electronic health records systems.<\/p>\n
• This story originally appeared in the Wrangell Sentinel<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"