The email service on this website, Online Consultation , is a very effective way for you to avoid long waits for answers to questions and problems. It is the only way to communicate with Dr. Reardon directly other than an office visit.

General Calls/Appointments:
During office hours, phones are answered by the receptionist. You will get the voicemail during the staff lunch break (12 -1), and if multiple lines are busy. You may leave a message requesting an appointment and the receptionist will call you back.

Nurse/Physician Calls:
During office hours, the doctor and staff are busy with patients. You will most likely need to leave a message if you wish to speak to a nurse during this time.
Messages are returned in order of urgency. It can take up to 2 weeks to answer a non-urgent question left on the nurse's voicemail, especially if it requires a physician's input.
You will get a response much faster if you use Online Consultation to ask a medical question.

If the nurse or Dr. Reardon decides the question is too complex for a phone conversation, you will be notified of this. You then have two options:

• make a clinic appointment
  
• use the Online Consultation secure email for your question/problem.

After office hours , our answering service takes all calls. Only emergent calls are forwarded to the on-call physician , all others are handled during subsequent office hours. This includes prescription refills, even if you didn't plan ahead and only have "1 pill left".

How to access the secure email ( Online Consultation and Secure Messaging

• First, you have to register on the site. There is a link on the home page ( www.scwc.mymedfusion.com ) through which to do this.
• Then, when you need it, you can access Secure Messaging and Online Consultation through the website.
  

• request appointments
• request prescription refills
• ask a general non-medical question, or leave a comment.

Online Consultation is used to ask a medical question of the nurse or Dr. Reardon.
This feature is designed to take the place of a minor office visit. Depending on the complexity of the question, there may be no charge, or a fee of up to $15 associated with this service. The usual fee is the same as a co-pay, around $10 . Compare that with the time and money spent making an appointment, taking time off work, driving to and from the office, and STILL having to pay your co-pay!

Please see the Secure Messaging and Online Consultation sections for more details.

PLEASE NOTE: We can not use "regular" unsecured email to communicate with patients due to federal privacy laws (HIPAA).

When should I use it?
You use Online Consultation in place of an office visit for medical questions and problems that do not require a physical exam. The email takes the place of an office visit for a particular problem or question. It is not, however, "instant messaging" nor is it a way to have a continuous running dialogue about your health issues with SCWC staff.
Other than an office visit, this is the only way to communicate directly with Dr. Reardon.
Very complex or lengthy issues, however, will require an office visit.

Why should I use email instead of calling?
The convenience and accessibility of email means we can review and handle your question/problem MUCH FASTER than a phone message. A phone message must be first given to the nurse, who reviews it and does the information gathering needed, then presents it to the physician. If more info or multiple call backs are needed, it must pass back and forth from nurse to physician each time. All this must be worked in around office patients.

Your Online Consultation email, on the other hand, can be received directly by Dr. Reardon. She can communicate directly back if more information is needed. There is no waiting for call backs or playing phone tag.

How do I know if my question/problem is appropriate for email?
Go ahead and submit any question or problem. We will let you know if it can be handled through email. If it can't, there is no charge.

What does it cost?
There may be no charge, or there may be a fee of between $5- $20 for using Online Consultation. This will be determined by SCWC staff, and is based on the complexity of and time it takes to handle your question/problem. The usual charge is the same as a copay. You are not charged again if a minor "follow-up" email is needed for "fine tuning" the first email.

Why is there a fee?
Secure email is more costly than regular email. The fee also covers the doctor and staff time needed to handle your question. The fee is usually no more than an average co-pay. Compare this to making an appointment, taking time off work, driving time to and from clinic, AND still paying your co-pay!

How do I pay?
You pay by credit card on the website on the link where you submit your email. Again: there may be no charge, the average charge is $10, and the maximum charge is $20. The fee is charged to your credit card when Dr. Reardon or the nurse responds to your email with medical advice.
This fee is usually not covered by insurance; we will not bill your insurance for the service, you must pay by credit card on-line. The fee is eligible for Health Care Savings Accounts. The fee also should be eligible for itemized deduction on your tax return, ask your tax preparer.

How is this different from regular email ?
Regular email is not secure. It is sent in plain English that anyone can intercept and read. It is stored on your computer where anyone can read it. Our secure email operates like this: your email message is deposited behind a confidential "firewall" where the our e-mail reply to you is also deposited. You access this "safe" area directly from our website: www.scwc.mymedfusion.com . You can do so from any computer throughout the world, even when you are away from home. It remains on the website; it is not stored on your computer, where others at work or home can see it. Only you with your password can access it.

Why can't I use my regular email?
Federal privacy laws ( known as HIPAA) make it illegal to discuss any aspect of patient care through unsecured, non-encrypted email. HIPAA went into effect April 2003. It sets the standards for privacy in regards to all health care information.

How do I register to use Online Consultation?
First you must register through the link on this site. We will confirm that you as an SCWC established patient and then activate your Online Consultation privileges. This takes about 2 business days. You will receive an email confirmation when your registration is "active."

You must sign a "Terms of Service" agreement online. This explains your responsibilities and our responsibilities regarding online communication.

To use the service, just log in at www.scwc.mymedfusion.com and follow the directions.

All email communications become part of your confidential patient file.

This service is for established patients.If you wish to be a new patient of SCWC, please call us at 715-381-9566.

Secure email can be used to request appointments or request prescription refills. To ask a medical question, use the Online Consultation feature (see "Online Consultation").

Messages are usually checked at least once a day M-F, barring emergencies, births, and vacations. Do not use this service for urgent or emergency matters.

Secure email works a lot like regular email except this is secure and encrypted. You access it directly from the website and can do so from any computer, even when you are away from home. The message is not accessible to your family or employer since it isn't stored in your regular email files. This service is different from email in that it conforms to the new Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) that was signed into law on August 21, 1996 and went into effect in April 2003.

Using this system to communicate with us means that your e-mail message is deposited behind a confidential "firewall" where our e-mail reply to you is also deposited. You access this "safe" area directly from the website www.scwc.mymedfusion.com

You must register and log in to use this service. After registering the offfice will confirm that you are an established patient and then activate your secure email privileges. This process may take up to 2 business days. You will receive an email confirmation when your registration is active. 

Please check with your pharmacy for available refills before calling the clinic. Prescriptions are usually written for the maximum medication per refill and number of refills. Remember, your insurance plan determines the "brands" of medications you can have and amount allowed per co-pay.

It may take up to 4 business days to process your request. If you require a written prescription to mail in there will be added time for it to reach you, or you may pick it up at the office after 4 business days have passed.

We encourage you to use the refill request form in the secure email feature on this site at any time. This service is free and the fastest way to get a refill, often within one business day.

During business hours, you can call the main number or the nurse line to leave a message for prescription refills. After hours, you can leave a message for prescription refills by calling 715-381-9568 .

New prescriptions can only be obtained through an office visit, however, minor changes in formulary or dosage may be done through the above methods.

Routine (screening) mammograms are scheduled by the patient. If a referral is needed, we will fax one to the appropriate radiology department.
If there is a finding on exam (like a lump) we will schedule the actual mammogram for you.

Results: results of your mammogram will be sent to you by the facility where your mammogram was done. If you have not received your results within a few weeks, contact the facility, not St. Croix Women's Center. Your doctor does not receive a report until the mammogram has been read and released by the radiologist.

Abnormal results: If there is an abnormal finding, the radiologist will usually call your doctor to let her know about the results before they are sent. If there are significant abnormal findings, you may need to see a surgeon for further evaluation. Your doctor will discuss your options with you. We will assist you in arranging a consultation if desired. You must obtain copies of your actual mammogram films to bring to your appointment with the surgeon. Alternatively, the radiologist may recommend additional views or repeat study in a few months. We highly recommend you obtain any additional studies recommended.

Your doctor will review your mammogram results and also make a recommendation, which may differ from the radiologist's. For instance, the radiologist may recommend a six month follow up and your doctor may recommend a biopsy. Your doctor may recommend seeing a surgeon for a second opinion. We are always happy to discuss your mammogram/exam results until you are comfortable with the plan.

1. Our clinic is Latex-free.

   
   

2. Our clinic is FRAGRANCE FREE due to staff allergies. If you wear heavily scented perfume or cologne to your appointment you may be asked to reschedule.

   
   

3. About bringing your children:
   • Children are not allowed in the room if you are going to have an exam.
   • For everyone's safety, children below the age of 12 may not be left in the waiting room without an adult.
   • SCWC staff are unable to assist with your childcare.
   • Please read the next article entitled " Can I bring my children to my appointment?" for more information.

   
   

4. Exams:
   • Spouses, partners, parents and friends are NOT allowed in the room for your evaluation and exam.
   • You may have a nurse chaperone present on request.
   • Family and friends may, at your request, be brought in at the end of the visit for an additional discussion of findings/treatment.

   
   

5. It is your responsiblity to check with your insurance for covered services and need for referrals, and informing us of the same. You are responsible for obtaining all necessary prior authorizations and referrals. All charges resulting from failure to obtain the correct authorization and non-covered services are your financial responsibility.

   
   

6. Please give us 24 hours notice if you must cancel your appointment. You may be charged a $25 broken appointment fee if you fail to notify us that you can't make your appointment. This charge is not covered by insurance.

The following policies also apply:

• Except for a newborn at a postpartum exam, children are not allowed in the room if you are going to have a physical exam of any kind.
  
  
• SCWC assumes no responsibility for your children's safety. If you do choose to bring your children, you are fully responsible for their behavior and their safety while they are at the clinic.
  
  
• You will be fully responsible, at replacement value, for any damage caused by your children's activities.
  
  
• Due to small staff size, SCWC staff cannot assist you in any way with child care, including "just watching the baby" while you have your exam, or "keeping an eye on your 7 yr old" in the lobby.
  
  
• Children under the age of 16 may not be left in the lobby without an adult to supervise them. There are no exceptions to this policy.

******PLEASE NOTE: If you are unable to comply with the above policies you will be asked to reschedule.********

Situations where it is appropriate to bring your children:

• To "hear the heartbeat" or see an ultrasound of their new brother or sister to be. If the children are not old enough to sit quietly on their own another adult must also be present.
  
• Children that can sit quietly and not interrupt are welcome at OB visits that do not include an exam.
  
• Newborn infants may be brought to postpartum check ups and the postpartum "exam".