Patient Communication & Electronic Messaging Policy
Effective Date: July 1, 2026
At Colorado Precision Medicine, we believe that thoughtful, responsive communication is an essential part of exceptional medical care. We strive to make it easy for our patients to communicate with us while protecting the privacy and security of their personal health information.
This policy explains how we communicate with patients and what you can expect when contacting our office.
Our Commitment
Colorado Precision Medicine is committed to providing timely, respectful, and secure communication whenever possible. Electronic communication is intended to enhance—not replace—the physician-patient relationship.
Whenever appropriate, we encourage patients to use secure communication methods for healthcare-related discussions.
Preferred Methods of Communication
Depending on the nature of your inquiry, we may communicate with you through:
- The secure patient portal
- Secure email (with your consent)
- Telephone
- Telemedicine
- Appointment reminder text messages
The most appropriate communication method will depend on the type of information being shared.
Secure Patient Portal
The secure patient portal is the preferred method for routine medical communication.
Patients may use the portal to:
- Send non-urgent medical questions
- Request prescription refills
- Review laboratory results
- Access visit summaries
- Exchange secure messages
- Upload requested documents
- Complete forms
Because the patient portal is encrypted and designed for healthcare communication, it is generally the safest method for exchanging protected health information (PHI).
Email Communication
With your consent, Colorado Precision Medicine may communicate with you by email regarding medical care.
Examples include:
- Laboratory results
- Follow-up recommendations
- Educational materials
- Administrative information
- Requested medical documentation
Although reasonable safeguards are used, email cannot be guaranteed to be completely secure. By choosing to communicate by email, you acknowledge and accept the inherent risks associated with electronic communication.
You may withdraw your consent to email communication at any time.
Text Messaging
Text messages are used primarily for administrative purposes, including:
- Appointment reminders
- Appointment confirmations
- Scheduling updates
- Office announcements
To help protect your privacy, text messages generally will not contain detailed medical information.
Text messaging should not be used to discuss medical concerns or request medical advice.
Telephone Communication
Telephone communication remains appropriate for many administrative matters, including:
- Scheduling appointments
- Insurance or billing questions
- General office inquiries
Medical questions may occasionally be addressed by telephone when appropriate, although the patient portal is generally preferred for non-urgent clinical communication.
Telemedicine
Colorado Precision Medicine offers telemedicine appointments when medically appropriate.
Telemedicine visits are conducted using secure technology designed to protect patient privacy.
The same standards of professionalism, confidentiality, and documentation apply to telemedicine visits as in-person appointments.
Not every medical concern is appropriate for telemedicine. In some situations, an in-person evaluation may be necessary.
Response Times
Our goal is to respond to patient communications within one business day, and often sooner during normal business hours. Response times may vary based on physician availability, weekends, holidays, and the urgency of the message.
Typical response times are:
- Patient portal messages: within two business days
- Email messages: within two business days
- Telephone messages: within one business day
- Appointment requests: within one business day
Actual response times may vary depending on physician availability, weekends, holidays, vacations, or unusually high message volume.
Messages received outside normal business hours will generally be reviewed during the next business day.
Appropriate Uses of Electronic Communication
Electronic communication is appropriate for:
- Non-urgent medical questions
- Medication refill requests
- Follow-up questions after appointments
- Laboratory follow-up
- Appointment scheduling
- Administrative requests
- General educational questions
When Not to Use Electronic Communication
Do not use the patient portal, email, voicemail, text messaging, or this website for:
- Medical emergencies
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Stroke symptoms
- Severe bleeding
- Loss of consciousness
- Suicidal thoughts
- Any condition requiring immediate medical attention
If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency:
Call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency department.
Electronic communications are not continuously monitored and should never be relied upon for urgent or emergency medical care.
Prescription Refills
Prescription refill requests should be submitted through the patient portal whenever possible.
Please allow sufficient time for processing before your medication runs out.
Certain medications may require an appointment before they can be renewed.
Laboratory Results
Whenever possible, laboratory results will be communicated through the secure patient portal.
Some abnormal or complex results may require:
- A telemedicine appointment
- An office visit
- A telephone discussion
Not all laboratory results can be adequately explained through electronic messaging alone.
Privacy and Security
Colorado Precision Medicine takes reasonable administrative, technical, and physical measures to protect your personal health information.
However, no electronic communication system can guarantee absolute security.
Patients are encouraged to:
- Protect their passwords
- Log out of shared computers
- Keep their contact information current
- Notify us if they believe unauthorized access has occurred
Appropriate Patient Conduct
We ask that all communications remain respectful and professional.
Colorado Precision Medicine reserves the right to discontinue electronic communication with individuals who engage in abusive, threatening, harassing, discriminatory, or inappropriate behavior.
Changes to This Policy
Colorado Precision Medicine may update this policy periodically to reflect changes in technology, practice operations, or applicable law.
The current version will always be available on our website.
Questions
If you have questions regarding this policy or the best way to communicate with our office, please contact:
Colorado Precision Medicine
970-279-1601
info@coloradoprecisionmedicine.com
Edwards, Colorado, USA