More health systems charge for online patient portal reporting – Chicago Tribune

Good morning, Chicago.

Patients who seek help from doctors through online portals may soon notice something new: fees for online consultations of their doctors.

A growing number of health systems in the Chicago area and across the country now charge 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 has mixed reactions, with some saying it 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 probably merited an in-person visit.

Read the story in its entirety by Lisa Schenker of the Tribune.

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