Why is there a separate charge for secure text and email service?

At Summit Medicine and Pediatrics, the security of your Protected Health Information (PHI) is our highest priority. We are fully compliant with every aspect and requirement of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act. As such, we have established strategic partnership with third-party companies whose software meets the rigorous standards of these federal regulations to ensure both static and dynamic encryption of your PHI during transmission through dedicated and secure means. The software that our patients use to communicate with Dr. Mike is licensed on an annual basis and is optional; those patients who wish to take advantage of the technology for rapid and efficient communication may choose to do so, but the service is not required. Remember… Dr. Mike is always a (free and secure) phone call away no matter what.