Patient Messaging and How we use your information.

Email and text messaging allow Lake Area Psychiatry to exchange information efficiently for the benefit of our patients. At the same time, we recognize that email and text messaging are not completely secure means of communication because these messages can be addressed to the wrong person or accessed improperly while in storage or transmission.

HIPAA requires that providers take reasonable steps to protect against these risks but acknowledges that a balance must be struck between the need to secure protected health information (PHI) and ensure clinicians can efficiently exchange important patient care information. Lake Area Psychiatry has implemented such measures by obtaining informed consent from patients using any potentially unencrypted electronic format.

Please practice discretion and best judgment when using email or text messaging. Our most common and appropriate uses for these forms of communication include:

Scheduling or rescheduling of appointments
Prescription related issues
Brief clinical questions
Billing-related communications - icluding monthly statements, past due account balances, and pay links for virtual appointments.

Email or text messages should not be used for:

Emergencies. Under these circumstances, call 911.
Disclosure of sensitive information that should otherwise be discussed during regular appointments.