Have you ever left a doctor’s appointment, only to realize later that you’re anxiously waiting for test results with no clear way to check them? Signing up for your patient portal before you leave the office can save you from this stressful experience. Your patient portal gives you direct access to your test results as soon as they’re available, without having to wait for a call back or another appointment.
This is particularly important for a child. Sometimes as early as age 13 depending on the state or system-based privacy requirements, a provider won’t release information to a parent without the patient’s consent, sending you into a tailspin trying to figure out how to provide proof of identity to get it set up after the fact.
It is important to note that federal regulations mandate that providers post these results “without delay” which may mean that these results will be available to you prior to your physician having the opportunity to review them. This is not a choice by the system - it’s a requirement. So while you should always have a way to access your results, whether you review them prior to being able to contact your provider is a personal decision. You should always consider whether it will have an adverse effect on your stress level until the implications of your results are clarified.
Whether or not you review them, you should always have them. So next time you get any testing done, simply ask how you’ll receive your results of the test. If they indicate you need to sign into the portal, don’t let the opportunity pass by — signing up before you leave and it will save you hours of frustration after the fact.
Take 5 minutes — Future You will thank you!
