Posted on Jul 22, 2023
'Hi, Doc!' DM'ing the doctor could cost you (or your insurance plan)
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https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/07/21/ [login to see] /direct-message-doctor-patient-portal-charge
If you wanted to talk with your doctor before the pandemic, you generally had to schedule an in-person appointment. But the sudden, rapid expansion of telehealth means patients generally can now text or email their health care providers.
"When you wanted to get a Zoom visit or an audio visit, you needed to sign up for the patient portal, and I think a lot of people became aware that they could message for the first time" during the pandemic, says A Jay Holmgren, a researcher in health care information technology at the University of California San Francisco.
Patients love that direct contact with their doctors — so much so their messages are overwhelming doctors' inboxes. Now, some patients are getting billed by hospitals or health systems for some responses to their message queries.
If you wanted to talk with your doctor before the pandemic, you generally had to schedule an in-person appointment. But the sudden, rapid expansion of telehealth means patients generally can now text or email their health care providers.
"When you wanted to get a Zoom visit or an audio visit, you needed to sign up for the patient portal, and I think a lot of people became aware that they could message for the first time" during the pandemic, says A Jay Holmgren, a researcher in health care information technology at the University of California San Francisco.
Patients love that direct contact with their doctors — so much so their messages are overwhelming doctors' inboxes. Now, some patients are getting billed by hospitals or health systems for some responses to their message queries.
'Hi, Doc!' DM'ing the doctor could cost you (or your insurance plan)
Posted from npr.org
Medical
Health
Insurance
Posted 9 mo ago
Responses: 3
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Not surprising that they are charging a fee for text message medicine. It takes up their time and the fees haven’t dented the texting.
When I worked the ER, back in the dark ages, we increased the fee, trying to cut down on people using it as a clinic. The census went up by 3K that year.
When I worked the ER, back in the dark ages, we increased the fee, trying to cut down on people using it as a clinic. The census went up by 3K that year.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
"Such charges are generally covered by Medicare and Medicaid, as well as most private insurance, though patients may bear co-pays, ranging from $5 to $75, depending on the type of plan. Holmgren says the goal of charging for these messages was both to reimburse doctors, and discourage patients from excessive emailing."..
"Such charges are generally covered by Medicare and Medicaid, as well as most private insurance, though patients may bear co-pays, ranging from $5 to $75, depending on the type of plan. Holmgren says the goal of charging for these messages was both to reimburse doctors, and discourage patients from excessive emailing."..
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good day Brother William, always informational and of the most interesting. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed day!
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