#2 Personal Health Records

   Patient portals are online websites set up by healthcare facilities.  There are several different types but all of them offer one or more of the following benefits:

• 24 hour access
• view personal medical records
• ask questions
• request a medical prescription
• protection security with username and password
• review discharge summaries/instructions
• view recent doctor visits
• view insurance or medical bills

   One such portal is with Intermountain Healthcare called "My Health".  You just sign up for it at the doctor's office and use it from day one.  It is a simple to use website which gives you a login and password and access to all things medical including doctor visits, labs, shots, X-rays and other imaging, prescriptions, allergies, and helps take the middle man out when communicating with the doctor through the message tab which will go straight to your doctor.  It is easy to use and everything is private and secure with up-to-date security walls.  You are also protected further by only being allowed to change your security settings by resetting your account through online services or doing it at the doctor's office.  You can't change settings by yourself online anymore.  Concerns for privacy would happen if you accidentally stayed logged in to your portal in a public place or shared your login information. You do have to be an Intermountain patient to have access.