Home Forums Discussions General Discussion how to send hipaa secure files too big to fax

some files are just too big to fax.
i am looking for an electronic option besides regular mail.
would it be hipaa safe to encrypt a pdf or word document with a password, and use regular email. and then notify the receiver of the password on a separate email.
what options have the users on this board used to securely send medical records
thanks

In my office, when patients want records, I give them several options. 1) if the record is less than twenty pages, we will fax it, no charge 2) greater than twenty pages, we will print and mail it at a fee of $0.75 per page 3) if greater than twenty pages, we will put it on a CD-ROM (as a PDF) and mail it or patient can pick it up, no charge, or 4) we can transmit to the patient or the doctor securely as a PDF via Send.Inc (service cost $5/month) at no charge. Patients seem to like these options, and we have had no problems. If attorneys request records, they are always charged $0.75/page... : )