I voted no because I already pay for insurance and they should cover this service. At the same time, physicians can always respond by recommending I book an appointment if it would take them more than a minute to respond over email/portal, and that’s fine with me.
Barbara - 1 year ago
I shouldn't be billed personally, however, if the time is unrelated to a recent visit (test follow-up, I've already paid for that) and I am trying to get "free" services then it should be billed through the insurance company for reimbursement as an office visit. It's the same steps one would have to take while the patient is sitting in front of the provider in a physical office. Providers should have the ability to give direction i.e. make an appointment or go to the ER etc without a fee, but their time is valuable.
Ralphie - 1 year ago
Is the provider receiving payments or incentives for Population Health or employer plans? If so, then definitely no if I'm in that population. Also, I do receive "free advice" from other professions when I'm asking them if I need further services. "My car is doing this - do I need to bring it in?" "Here's my situation - do I need your legal help?" etc.
Harry the Healthcare Consumer - 1 year ago
Depends on the price, and the level of service. Can I ask real questions, and get a real answer specific to my situation and needs?
Scott - 1 year ago
Leaning towards No, between my paid health insurance premiums and employers insurance premiums I've already paid for their time. We don't need direct financials disincentives to getting care. Arguments about lawyers, accountants, plumbers etc. don't make sense to me unless you prepay/hire those people on retainer.
CH - 1 year ago
There are CPT codes, with RVU values, for this work. This ship has already sailed. Try getting free advice from your lawyer, plumber, mechanic, architect, etc.
Mario - 1 year ago
Yes, if you want free advice then go to WebMD. If you want your clinician to take the time to provide answers to questions then they should be reimbursed for their time and responsibility.
JC - 1 year ago
No. My primary doc is owned by Wellstar. They get enough money from me/my insurance company and half the time an asst answers the questions. Not an easy question to answer.
Bob - 1 year ago
Not a simple yes no answer. using Bobtopia as an example, many of the clinicians are owned/salaried.
If that's true, then Carl in performance metrics is right, in that these communications are eating into our employees' 13 hour day profit. and then we look bad with our benchmarks. and then CMS will be breathing down our necks, no more and then
better ideas?
carve-outs for pediatrics
Waaayyy better front-end triage
If you're going to pay for portal interactions, then you will need a much better, more holistic portal experience.
JT - 1 year ago
This survey question raises more questions for me. Are patients asking clinical questions because they need answers now yet can't get an appointment for weeks/months? Are they asking questions via the portal because for some reason don't want available appointments? Something is broken here. ?????
I voted no because I already pay for insurance and they should cover this service. At the same time, physicians can always respond by recommending I book an appointment if it would take them more than a minute to respond over email/portal, and that’s fine with me.
I shouldn't be billed personally, however, if the time is unrelated to a recent visit (test follow-up, I've already paid for that) and I am trying to get "free" services then it should be billed through the insurance company for reimbursement as an office visit. It's the same steps one would have to take while the patient is sitting in front of the provider in a physical office. Providers should have the ability to give direction i.e. make an appointment or go to the ER etc without a fee, but their time is valuable.
Is the provider receiving payments or incentives for Population Health or employer plans? If so, then definitely no if I'm in that population. Also, I do receive "free advice" from other professions when I'm asking them if I need further services. "My car is doing this - do I need to bring it in?" "Here's my situation - do I need your legal help?" etc.
Depends on the price, and the level of service. Can I ask real questions, and get a real answer specific to my situation and needs?
Leaning towards No, between my paid health insurance premiums and employers insurance premiums I've already paid for their time. We don't need direct financials disincentives to getting care. Arguments about lawyers, accountants, plumbers etc. don't make sense to me unless you prepay/hire those people on retainer.
There are CPT codes, with RVU values, for this work. This ship has already sailed. Try getting free advice from your lawyer, plumber, mechanic, architect, etc.
Yes, if you want free advice then go to WebMD. If you want your clinician to take the time to provide answers to questions then they should be reimbursed for their time and responsibility.
No. My primary doc is owned by Wellstar. They get enough money from me/my insurance company and half the time an asst answers the questions. Not an easy question to answer.
Not a simple yes no answer. using Bobtopia as an example, many of the clinicians are owned/salaried.
If that's true, then Carl in performance metrics is right, in that these communications are eating into our employees' 13 hour day profit. and then we look bad with our benchmarks. and then CMS will be breathing down our necks, no more and then
better ideas?
carve-outs for pediatrics
Waaayyy better front-end triage
If you're going to pay for portal interactions, then you will need a much better, more holistic portal experience.
This survey question raises more questions for me. Are patients asking clinical questions because they need answers now yet can't get an appointment for weeks/months? Are they asking questions via the portal because for some reason don't want available appointments? Something is broken here. ?????