Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Medicine will begin charging for some MyChart messages July 18.
Johns Hopkins patients who send messages through the Epic EHR patient portal can expect to be billed if the matter takes more than five minutes of a provider's time and is for a new medical issue or symptom requiring an assessment or referral, a medication adjustment, chronic condition check-in and management, or a flare-up or change in a chronic illness. The health system joins numerous others that have begun charging for the service.
"Virtual options have become a standard part of healthcare. Insurance companies now recognize some MyChart medical advice messages as billable services," Johns Hopkins Medicine said in a statement on its website. "We want to make sure our clinicians have the time they need to review and respond appropriately to your concerns, just as they would with an in-person or video visit."
The health system estimates that out-of-pocket costs will be, depending on how long it takes the clinician to respond, $15 to $50 for uninsured patients, $3 to 10 for Medicare beneficiaries, and a $10 or $20 copay for people with private insurance (or the full amount if it's a high deductible plan). Patients with Medicaid will pay nothing out of pocket.
The charges don't apply to patients at St. Petersburg, Fla.-based Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Baltimore Medical System locations (East Baltimore Medical Center and BMS at Yard 56) or Baltimore-based Esperanza Health Services.