How Would Billing for Secure Messages Impact Patients, Physicians?

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 16, 2024.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Oct. 15, 2024 -- The policy of billing for secure messages changes patient expectations and can impact the patient-physician relationship, according to a research letter published online Oct. 15 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Jordan M. Alpert, Ph.D., from the Cleveland Clinic, and colleagues examined the perceptions and impact of the policy of billing for secure messages that require medical decision-making and at least five minutes of clinician time. Thirteen of 52 invited patients and 16 of 49 physicians agreed to participate in interviews.

The researchers described the patients' responses as resigned acceptance, with initial negative reaction to the policy, but understanding that people abuse the system and recognizing the service that physicians provide by answering questions. Physicians were hopeful that the policy would reduce the volume of messages and confer recognition for their provision of free care via messaging, feeling that the work of answering questions was taken for granted by patients and the health system. The policy confused patients and physicians, with patients not knowing whether their message would require more than five minutes of a clinician's time and physicians unsure about how to handle billing complexities (e.g., multiple messages from one patient). Changed expectations were noted, with patients expecting rapid, detailed responses if they were billed and physicians expressing concern that patients would withhold important information to avoid being billed. Patients and physicians may modify behaviors to avoid billing, with patients stating that they would call the office rather than use messaging and physicians being aware of the problematic nature of charging patients of low socioeconomic status.

"Health systems may want to review the advantages and disadvantages of similar policies before deciding on an appropriate implementation strategy," the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

Source: HealthDay

Posted : 2024-10-16 12:00

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords