More health systems charging for online patient portal messages – Chicago Tribune

Good morning, Chicago.

Patients seeking help from their doctors through online portals may soon notice something new: fees for their doctors’ online advice.

A growing number of health systems in the Chicago area and across the country are now charging for certain types of messages sent through online patient portals, such as MyChart, with fees often around $35 or less. It’s a trend that’s drawing mixed reactions, with some saying it just seems fair, while others see it as a cash grab.

Health system executives say most messages remain free, and they bill only for questions that require more than a few minutes of a doctor’s time and that, in the past, likely merited an in-person visit.

Read the full story by Lisa Schencker of the Tribune.

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