focus -WSS

focus

author：hotspot 2025-09-27 13:11:07 - browse：5

Photo of a doctor holding a cellphone. -- first opinion coverage from STAT — Adobe

Thinking about messaging your physician about a weird rash? You may want to hold off on it. Some hospital systems have started charging patients for digital messages to their doctors via the electronic medical record, either a flat rate (like a copay) or on sliding scale depending on the time or complexity of the physician’s response. Sometimes it’s billed through an insurer, sometimes as a direct cost to the patient. Costs have ranged between less than $10 and $100 for a message.

Now that at least 22 hospital systems have implemented the practice, a great debate has broken out in the medical profession: Is charging patients to send a note to a doctor just common sense or an unjust expense?

In asking family, friends, and colleagues about this, my grandmother’s response was the most enlightening: “I’m surprised doctors ever stopped charging for phone calls!”

Get unlimited access to award-winning journalism and exclusive events.

Subscribe Log In

Previous article： Wildfire smoke exposes gaps in outdoor worker protections
Next article： Cholera vaccine supplies dangerously low, outbreaks surging

WSS

Pfizer is about to make a big push in cancer. Will investors listen?

Virtual repurposing can help discover new uses for existing drugs

Readout Newsletter: The latest on Amylyx, Moderna, Novavax

CDC panel: People 65 and older should get a Covid spring booster shot

Virtual repurposing can help discover new uses for existing drugs

Mississippi candidates for statewide offices square off in party primaries

focus

focus

leisure time

New Eli Lilly Alzheimer’s data poses Medicare coverage conundrum

Nearly a dozen Russian and Chinese ships now moving away from Alaska, officials say

In Memoriam: Notable people who died in 2023

Teen said 'homophobic slurs' before O'Shae Sibley killing: Criminal complaint

Alkermes shareholders re

In medicine, common shorthands can shortchange care

Hollywood unions extend contract negotiations for actors

Pfizer is about to make a big push in cancer. Will investors listen?

What does generative AI mean for health care? We asked experts

Mifepristone protocols being wielded by pill's opponents in Supreme Court case

focus

CDC panel: People 65 and older should get a Covid spring booster shot

Tesla CFO Zachary Kirkhorn steps down, but will remain with company through year's end

At least 12 people were injured in a blast at a port in northwest Turkey

Change Healthcare cyberattack shows risk of industry consolidation

Readout Newsletter: The latest on Amylyx, Moderna, Novavax

CDC advisory group OKs chikungunya vaccine

explore

Wikipedia

knowledge

focus