Editor’s note: Carle is a sponsor of Chambanamoms.com
Visitors to MyCarle.com can utilize the site for numerous tasks
The MyCarle.com online portal has been an integral part of the health care provided by Carle for years. But if you’re not familiar with the platform — or even if you are — there might be some areas in which you’re not aware of its benefits.
The site has seven primary functions:
- Managing your appointments
- Accessing your test results
- Paying your bill
- Updating your personal information
- Communicating with your care team
- Requesting prescription refills
- Streamlining the check-in process
Any of these items can be accomplished with a minimal amount of effort. This article will help guide you through the process and perhaps offer a few tips you haven’t yet discovered.
First things first: Know that Carle has gone to the greatest lengths possible to secure your information. The following are important excerpts from MyCarle policies:
“Usernames and passwords provide two layers of authentication and are stored in an encrypted database that is isolated from the Internet. As a patient portal user, your role in maintaining the security of your medical information is: 1) Changing your password on a regular basis, and 2) Keeping your login ID and password confidential.
“Firewalls, passwords, encryption, and audit trails are further used to safeguard your information. We shall identify the records released and note the time and date of access each time a patient accesses their patient portal. We have taken steps to make all information received from our online visitors is as secure as possible against unauthorized access and use.”
So that’s important. You, as a patient, need to know that your information won’t end up in the wrong hands. If you do your part — change those passwords occasionally! — Carle will make sure it does its part.
Now, let’s explore.
For many patients, the simplest tasks can be quickly and easily accomplished through MyCarle. Need a prescription refill? Easily done by clicking on a button that says “Request Refills.” Looking for test results? The quickest way to find your results is through MyCarle. Though Carle can not offer a “guarantee” of how long it will take to get your results back, it is our experience that as soon as the results are known, they will show up on your MyCarle account. You can choose to receive an email notification as soon as the results have been posted on your account.
Need to schedule a visit? You can click on the “visits” button at the top of your personal homepage.
Patients can now schedule primary care and pediatric appointments directly in their MyCarle account, and follow-up visits or procedures ordered by a provider can be sent directly to patients’ account. This feature was recently added to help improve access for patients and provide ease with scheduling.
But here’s another lesser-known benefit: MyCarle keeps a record of ALL of your past Carle visits. All details of the visit are listed in chronological order. This includes your After-Visit Summary and any clinical notes that were taken. (Telemedicine visits are included.) This gives you a convenient record of your medical history through Carle.
Another very helpful component on MyCarle: Communicating with your care team. This can include your doctor, physician’s assistant, nurse or anyone else connected with your care. Simple click on the “messages” tab at the top of your page, and you’ll be taken to a list of previous messages. On the left, you’ll see “send a message.” Click on that, and a menu will pop up that will guide you through an easy process to reach your care team.
MyChart messages are responded to within three business days. Patients are reminded that for emergency situations to call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. That said, it has been our experience that, nearly every time, we have received a response within a matter of minutes or hours, not days.
Your child’s care
For parents and guardians, the care of your child is of utmost importance. Fortunately, the same processes and information available on MyCarle for your own care is also applicable to your child. But you’ll need to gain access.
For children age 11 and under, parents or legal guardians can view the child’s MyCarle account through shared access, also called proxy access. Parents/guardians can request proxy access online through the MyCarle Proxy Access Form or in person at your next outpatient provider visit. Age 12-17 proxy access requires the child to grant permission for the parent/guardian. The form to request access can be completed at an outpatient provider visit with the child present. Access ends when that person turns 18.
To register for that access, look for the prompt that says “Request proxy access” on the MyCarle login page. You can also request the form upon an in-person visit to Carle.
And finally …
You should never use your patient portal for urgent matters. For all urgent medical matters, contact your physician’s office by phone, and/or go to the emergency department of a local hospital, or dial 911.