Group Health employs an Epic Systems electronic health system. Epic offers Epic MyChart as the online component. Group Health uses MyChart, but redesigned the front end, Moran said.

"We took Epic down a path (in 2003) they weren't quite ready to take yet," she said.

California-based Kaiser Permanente, a larger health system with a similar organizational structure as Group Health, has also deployed Epic's EHR system and MyChart. It offers similar online services, said Carmella Jackson, health information management services director at Kaiser's regional office in Atlanta. "They're cousins," she said.

Up next for Group Health Web services is even more emphasis on the after-visit summary. Also in the works is patient scheduling of appointments online and making it possible for patients to see X-rays, MRIs, CT scans and other pictures.

What are your goals for providing your patients with online services, and what are the barriers? Send your comments to Editor Bernie Monegain at bernie.monegain@medtechpublishing.com.