[matsemann]

I agree that charging a fee can be fine. For me it's often a win-win. I spend less time having to go there, and the doctor can spend less time than an in-person visit and even do it on some down-time. But it's still a service, so paying about same as a regular doctor visit (about ~$20 or so here in Norway) is fine.

My biggest gripe here is that if the doctor answers me outside office hours, an additional "emergency / inconvenience fee" is added. Like, I can't control when you answer, and I didn't choose it. If I send in something during daytime and you didn't get to it, answer me the next day, then. Or make it a choice that I want a prioritized answer so at least I decide. It's just bonkers.

[thayne]

> about same as a regular doctor visit (about ~$20 or so here in Norway)

In the US, a regular doctor's visit can cost hundreds of dollars.

[vladgur]

I recently was informed that the question to my doctor over messaging qualifies as “e-visit” and was giving 3 different CPT codes(differing by time physician would spend answering it) The CPT is how services are identified for medical billing and I called my hospitals financial assistance line to find the contractual “allowed amount” they would charge my insurance(and therefore me since I did not hit my deductible)

The cost for this e-visit message would range from $65 if it took less than 10 minutes to $438 if it took more than 25 minutes.

With absolute zero accountability on how this time was spent.

Lawyers are way more transparent than medical billers

[Aeolun]

So the doctors only respond late in the evening for all that free extra cash?