> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.elationhealth.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Sending a Progress Note Without Downloading It

> How to send a progress note (signed visit note in Elation) to another Elation EHR user or contact securely—without downloading or printing it—and why there is no plain-email option.

## Can I email a progress note instead of downloading it?

Elation does not send Provider Letters or Referrals directly by plain email. A progress note (a **signed visit note** in Elation) is shared securely instead—delivered to another Elation EHR user's chart, by Direct message, by fax, or through the Elation Connect secure portal. You can send it this way **without downloading or printing it**.

When email is involved, it is only a generic notification that prompts the recipient to log in to a secure portal; the email itself never includes the note or any PHI.

## Sending a signed visit note without downloading it

Only signed records can be attached to a Provider Letter or Referral, so the visit note must already be **signed** before you can attach and send it. Signed notes appear under the **Signed Visit Notes & Notes** attachment category.

1. Create a Provider Letter or Referral—either [from the patient chart](/articles/letter-and-referral-introduction#initiation) or from the **Actions** menu on the signed visit note.
2. Enter or select the recipient in the **To** field.
3. Under attachments, choose **Select Chart Items to Attach**.
4. Attach the signed visit note from **Signed Visit Notes & Notes**.
5. Click **Sign & Send**.

The correspondence is delivered based on the selected recipient or contact type and the contact details on file:

| Recipient                                                                                     | How it's delivered                                                                                                               |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Another Elation EHR user                                                                      | Delivered directly to their Elation account and the patient's chart                                                              |
| Contact with a Direct address                                                                 | Sent by [Direct message](/articles/how-to-use-direct-messaging)                                                                  |
| Contact with a fax number                                                                     | Sent by [fax](/articles/how-to-send-a-fax)                                                                                       |
| Non-Elation contact selected from your Provider Directory with an email or fax number on file | Invited to view the correspondence through [Elation Connect](/articles/secure-Provider-Portal), Elation's secure Provider Portal |

Depending on the contact's details and the delivery banner shown before you send, a faxed correspondence may also include an online-access option. In Elation Connect, the recipient can view what was shared and may optionally download the records after logging in to the secure portal.

For more detail, see [Sending correspondences to other Elation EHR users](/articles/share-documents-between-other-elationemr-users) and the [Letter & Referral Introduction](/articles/letter-and-referral-introduction).

## Why isn't there a plain-email option?

Email is not a HIPAA-compliant way to share clinical information, so Elation does not send Provider Letters, Referrals, or their attachments by plain email. A recipient may receive a generic email **notification** prompting them to log in and view the shared clinical information securely, but the email itself never contains the visit note or any PHI.

## Related Articles

* [Letter & Referral Introduction](/articles/letter-and-referral-introduction)
* [Sending correspondences to other Elation EHR users](/articles/share-documents-between-other-elationemr-users)
* [Sending and receiving Direct messages](/articles/how-to-use-direct-messaging)
* [Sending a fax](/articles/how-to-send-a-fax)
* [Sending correspondences via a secure Provider Portal](/articles/secure-Provider-Portal)