E-Mail Guidelines

Why use e-mail to communicate with your doctor?

E-mail is fast, convenient, and efficient.  It can be used for non-urgent questions, appointment requests, billing and insurance questions and messages that you may have.

E-mail should never be used for an urgent medical problem or in an emergency situation.  It should not be used for mental health issues, drug and alcohol problems, HIV (AIDS) and sexually transmitted disease issues and work-related injuries.  If your are not sure then don't use e-mail.

Please remember to include your name, date of birth (for identification), phone number in your message.  We may choose to call you back rather than respond by e-mail depending on the information.

The confidentiality of e-mail can't be guaranteed.  If you use e-mail from work your employer may have access to it.  If from home then other family members may see your messages.  Hackers may intercept messages though your internet service provider.  E-mail in the physicians office may be viewed by other staff (like phone calls) while being routed to the appropriate staff member.

You will receive an e-mail that  your message has been received.  If you don't get this then assume that your message was not received.  You should expect a response within 48 hours to your inquiry (excluding weekends, holidays or other times when the office is closed).