Can’t fill your prescription? Here’s why, and what you can do about it.
Messaging or emailing your doctor? Be careful, it might cost you
If you have a question for your doctor, but it’s not an emergency, sending an email is the easiest way to communicate. But beware. Some doctors are now charging a fee to send emails or text messages.
Read on for details on why doctors are considering a fee for answering medical questions by email.
Here’s the backstory
Any professional business that renders a service to the public usually charges for appointments or consultations. Even if you have only a few questions, doctors, lawyers and dentists (and even tattoo artists) will charge you for their time.
But a quick email is a good solution if you have a simple question and don’t need to see your doctor in person. This used to be a simple and free process that only took a few minutes to complete. Unfortunately, things might change and hit you in the pocketbook.
Even though the doctor isn’t seeing you in person or giving you an exam, it still takes time out of their schedule to reply to an email or text message. If several emails need a reply, it can consume a few hours of precious consultation time. That is why some medical practices now charge patients if they email the doctor.
According to the New York Times, the $10 or $20 fee is needed to account for the doctor’s time. “Billing a patient’s health insurance supports the necessary decision-making and time commitment of our physicians and other advanced professional providers,” explains Angela Smith, a spokeswoman for the Cleveland Clinic.
However, replying to electronic communication isn’t a new thing. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a popular method for patients to stay in contact with their doctor.
At the same time, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services first introduced Medicare billing codes in 2019 so that physicians can charge for private medical messages.
What you can do about it
Understandably, not everybody is happy about this development. Some patients cannot regularly leave their homes, and traveling to a doctor’s office is challenging. On top of that, the co-payment can range from a few dollars to as high as $100, chipping into what little financial resources these patients have.
Then there is the doctor’s urgency to reply to as many emails or messages as possible, as people expect a prompt answer. “We know that this is a contributor to burnout. Burnout and resulting attrition in physicians’ work are becoming a crisis in our medical system,” Dr. Eve Rittenberg told the NYT.
CDC says to stockpile your meds - here's tech to help
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new advice amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak: Stockpile medicine and food, and plan to be confined to your home.
That doesn’t mean panic, but definitely stick with information from trusted health organizations and websites. Also, don’t believe the kerfuffle on social media, where misinformation and scams are running rampant. Tap or click here to find out how to spot coronavirus scams.
Paging Dr. Mario: This is something. EndeavorRx is the first FDA-approved prescription video game for ADHD. It challenges kids to multitask and ignore distractions while navigating levels. Some 73% of kids who used it said their attention spans improved. Def worth sharing to (maybe) get the kids off pharmaceuticals.
740 million children
Will be nearsighted by 2050. Blame less time spent outside and more screen time for youngsters. An estimated four in 10 kids will need prescription glasses. Girls are more likely than boys to develop myopia (the fancy name for objects far away looking blurry).
How to get your pharmaceutical drugs if you can't go to the pharmacy
You already know how important it is to stay at home as much as possible — unless, of course, you need to restock on food and essentials.
Venturing outside for any reason still puts you at risk for viral exposure, though. The grocery store is no exception. Fortunately, most stores are taking additional measures to help you shop while maintaining social distancing. Tap or click here to see the safest ways to buy and unpack your groceries.
Night-vision tech is getting better: Researchers are developing ultra-thin, lightweight infrared filters — think thinner than cling wrap and lighter than a gram — that fit right over your regular specs. Just imagine asking your optometrist to add night vision to your prescription lenses. Sign me up!