Wellness

[chrystaltree]

@fairydogmother wrote:

I'm guessing that the majority of patients will delete their My Chart account if it becomes a pay for use service. I use mine primarily to refill meds and to fill out surveys that my docs want, prior to appointments. 

I will not pay for that. Will go back to calling the office about meds. And filling out the surveys in the office when I get there. 

I think if they do charge, it only be for physician contacts that required a substantial amount of work. They won't charge for having the app and patients using it because that benefits the medical practices much more than it benefits patients.  

[chrystaltree]

@Icegoddess wrote:

Never heard of MyChart. I guess if you're asking for the Dr.'s advice on something, that could be considered the same as an office visit. I never contact my Dr. via the portal. I ask for prescription renewal on my gynecologist's portal. I call my Primary Care Physician's office for new scripts. He doesn't have a portal, but does have a way to reach him online. Never used it. If I have a medical issue I call the office.

Wrong, MYCHART doesn't replace office visits. That's not what it's used for.  

 

[teganslaw]

Icegoddess, MyChart is another name for a patient portal. Maybe your state doesn't call it that? 

There will be no charge for checking out results, filling prescriptions or setting up appointments. They will be charged a fee if talking to a physician or spending a certain number of minutes online because of a health problem. Apparently, charge would be determined how many minutes are used talking to the physician. 

There is no reason to delete MyChart account; just don't use it unnecessarily.

[DrakesMomma]

This was copied from CMS' (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) website.  

Examples of messages that may be billed to insurance:

• A new issue or symptom requiring medical assessment or referral
• Adjusting medications
• Chronic disease check-in
• Flare-up or change in chronic condition
• Request to complete a form

Examples of messages that won't be billed to insurance:

• Request for a prescription refill
• Request to schedule an appointment
• Message that leads your provider to recommend a visit
• Follow-up care related to a recent surgery (within the past 90 days) – with exceptions for some surgeries
• Update for your doctor when no response is needed
• Message that takes only a few minutes to answer

[mimomof4]

The fees may be because many health insurance providers are offering Televisit as part of their services.  Health insurance companies are also nickle and diming our primary care providers.

I also had a special televisit service through Consumerism that covered televist at any time.  We used it a few times for my kids to avoid paying a $35 co-pay to see the pediatrician.  

[granddi]

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@Trinity11 wrote:

I first saw a fee with my cardiologist about two years ago in my portal. It was attached to a follow up phone call in regards to a review of an echocardiogram. I used the portal to request a reply. Insurance paid it in full. 

Since my doctor took time out of his very busy schedule, I was fine with him charging for his time.

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would you have been fine with the charge if your insurance did not cover the charges?

[Q4u]

Interesting..... I have MyChart and have considered them ok but certainly not worth IMHO a fee for their service, but then again, I don't bother them with anything. If anything, we have been "bothered" with unending "You have a message/letter in MyChart".  Then we'll go to open it and viola, another reminder to get a Covid update or a yearly Flu shot.... which we do automatically every year.  I enjoy filling out appropriate paperwork on line and having it be there when I arrive.  Otherwise I think of MyChart as more of a nuisance.

[speedy girl]

I haven't heard they might start charging for My Chart. I really like this feature but only use it for blood test results or making an appointment. I have asked a couple questions before but they were simple and could be answered by the nurse. I don't expect my Doctor to be there as I can understand charging if the Doctor needs to research and respond. But I won't use it if I have to pay. 

[CherryHugs]

My Doctor just switched recently to MyChart. I sure hope nothing will be costing any money!

[Sunshine Kate]

I no longer use apps from my doctor's offices.  They are 3rd party apps.  I have been hacked twice from these apps and have had to take necessary precautions.  

I deleted the apps and it's easier, at least for me.  I'm tired of keeping up with user names and passwords for every single thing.  The hacking part from a 3rd party app was the ultimate dealbreaker.

I pick up the phone and call.