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Mayo will charge $50 for some mychart messages

Posted by summerof42 @summerof42, Aug 16, 2023

Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic plans to charge patients up to $50 for patient portal messages to their providers.

Mayo joins a growing list of health systems that have started billing for MyChart messages in response to an explosion in the digital interactions. Mayo's new policy starts Aug. 18, according to the story.

"The volume and type and complexity of these messages has been increasing really exponentially," Conor Loftus, MD, chair of Mayo's outpatient practice subcommittee, told the news outlet. "Within those messages, the type of care being delivered … often involves care coordination and complex decision-making."

The charges will apply to messages that require a diagnosis or other clinical decision,

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 16, 2023

Hi @summerof42, yes this is important information for Mayo Clinic patients to know.

Please note that not all MyChart messages are subject to billing. To be eligible for billing, the message must be patient-initiated and require a clinical decision that otherwise would have been provided through an in-person or virtual office visit. Patients who can't afford the charges will be referred to financial assistance. Several other health systems bill for similar portal (MyChart) messages.

REPLY
summerof42 | @summerof42 | Aug 16, 2023

Wrong on so many levels. I have yet to come across a medical facility charging for mychart messages. As if Mayo is not charging enough already!

My experience at Mayo, unfortunately, was not a good one. I remember leaving numerous messages via Mayo mychart after my visit and when I didn't receive a reply from the Doctor or his nurse or even an assistant, I also called and left several messages, all to no avail. Finally, after 3 weeks of begging and pleading, I said that I refused to hang up unless I can speak to the Internal MD I saw who wrote a Rx. I was told the doctor was too busy and he can't just call you and not get paid for it. What happened to ethics and oaths and just plain compassion and care? He was horrible!

I still cry to this day thinking how it took all my courage and strength and spent thousands of dollars to go to Mayo - all for nothing and received no help. All he did was order a ton of tests, some brutal, like the POTS and didn't even read the results when we had my follow up. In his notes he typed he was waiting for all final results but all the labs were done.

His report also didn't indicate I had LT Covid, yet that is what he told me verbally and prescribed Quanafacine. I had to fight for short term disability just because of his inadequate and incorrect notes. He should have his license revoked. I could file a complaint, but it would get declined and ignored since medical facilities are desperate for doctors. He even told me he was on the board for LT Covid Care Clinic, but knew nothing about Covid.

The only MD that was so wonderful, kind and truly caring, even called me at home every week to see how I was doing, and that was fabulous heart specialist, Dr. Robert Frye. Highly recommend him - FYI, he's in his 90's! That's probably why he's so kind and caring . . . old school ethics.

I know Mayo Clinic is an incredible top-run ship, saved many lives and an incredible facility, but for folks like us suffering with Long Term Covid, there is no help there. If there were, we would all not be on this forum. I do believe there a few small amount of lucky folks that may have received good support and help.

I only wish they would come on this forum for Post Covid Recovery and provide the treatment they received that helped, medications, the Doctor(s) they saw, etc. I know everyone is different but it would really help.

Mayo should provide me a number and name for the Doctors in the LT Covid Clinic Care who can help me since I went out there for treatment. All I received in mychart from an assistant was a link for relaxation, eating healthy foods, take it easy, don't push it, etc. Ridiculous, this is not what I paid thousands of dollars for and is useless, and medications for our symptoms are needed. The Doctor I saw should have connected me to those Doctors.

REPLY
2 replies
lbyrd02 | @lbyrd02 | Aug 17, 2023

I can see their point
1 - They know nothing about Long Covid and are reluctant to diagnose or do anything to investigate the patient's pain "Its in your head" - so if the patient doesn't post - they know less. It's an educational fee.
2 - Clearly "it's in your head" neuro-phycs are expensive even if they are worthless - somebody is going to have to pay to support the "its in your head" diagnosis.

3- I've always been leery of online medical care but if that's the clinic can provide - then definitely charge for it.

REPLY
bunzman | @bunzman | Aug 17, 2023
In reply to @summerof42 "Wrong on so many levels. I have yet to come across a medical facility charging for..." + (show)
@summerof42

Wrong on so many levels. I have yet to come across a medical facility charging for mychart messages. As if Mayo is not charging enough already!

My experience at Mayo, unfortunately, was not a good one. I remember leaving numerous messages via Mayo mychart after my visit and when I didn't receive a reply from the Doctor or his nurse or even an assistant, I also called and left several messages, all to no avail. Finally, after 3 weeks of begging and pleading, I said that I refused to hang up unless I can speak to the Internal MD I saw who wrote a Rx. I was told the doctor was too busy and he can't just call you and not get paid for it. What happened to ethics and oaths and just plain compassion and care? He was horrible!

I still cry to this day thinking how it took all my courage and strength and spent thousands of dollars to go to Mayo - all for nothing and received no help. All he did was order a ton of tests, some brutal, like the POTS and didn't even read the results when we had my follow up. In his notes he typed he was waiting for all final results but all the labs were done.

His report also didn't indicate I had LT Covid, yet that is what he told me verbally and prescribed Quanafacine. I had to fight for short term disability just because of his inadequate and incorrect notes. He should have his license revoked. I could file a complaint, but it would get declined and ignored since medical facilities are desperate for doctors. He even told me he was on the board for LT Covid Care Clinic, but knew nothing about Covid.

The only MD that was so wonderful, kind and truly caring, even called me at home every week to see how I was doing, and that was fabulous heart specialist, Dr. Robert Frye. Highly recommend him - FYI, he's in his 90's! That's probably why he's so kind and caring . . . old school ethics.

I know Mayo Clinic is an incredible top-run ship, saved many lives and an incredible facility, but for folks like us suffering with Long Term Covid, there is no help there. If there were, we would all not be on this forum. I do believe there a few small amount of lucky folks that may have received good support and help.

I only wish they would come on this forum for Post Covid Recovery and provide the treatment they received that helped, medications, the Doctor(s) they saw, etc. I know everyone is different but it would really help.

Mayo should provide me a number and name for the Doctors in the LT Covid Clinic Care who can help me since I went out there for treatment. All I received in mychart from an assistant was a link for relaxation, eating healthy foods, take it easy, don't push it, etc. Ridiculous, this is not what I paid thousands of dollars for and is useless, and medications for our symptoms are needed. The Doctor I saw should have connected me to those Doctors.

Jump to this post

I think you can not assume that the people getting over long covid are holding out with some kind of cure or care they received. Truth is many just get over it. I mean treatment is usually patient specific as it could be irresponsible to come on here and start sharing what worked for them. Share docs and clinics, sure. But you will find out that some people who goo to that clinic get results and others don't. BTW, probably working with the wrong facility if you go there for a specific reason and get no treatment; i.e. will referring you to someone else in the network help? In terms of "long covid" associated symptoms, I do not think they even know what causes them (i.e., what is long covid). But keep on looking and I wish you well. People are here to encourage and support you.

REPLY
rmca | @rmca | Aug 30, 2023
In reply to @myfablife "That is so wrong!!!!" + (show)
@myfablife

That is so wrong!!!!

Jump to this post

Put it on the list of everything else that is wrong with the healthcare system. Cleveland Clinic is also charging. The answer is to simply call the office and talk to the PA. The cost of office visits, meds, and procedures is really enough to cover messaging. I understand it’s a complex situation but the truth is that the financial burden to many saps them of the strength they need to deal with their ailments….Sad situation anyway you look at it.

REPLY
1 reply
migizii | @migizii | Aug 31, 2023
In reply to @rmca "Put it on the list of everything else that is wrong with the healthcare system. Cleveland..." + (show)
@rmca

Put it on the list of everything else that is wrong with the healthcare system. Cleveland Clinic is also charging. The answer is to simply call the office and talk to the PA. The cost of office visits, meds, and procedures is really enough to cover messaging. I understand it’s a complex situation but the truth is that the financial burden to many saps them of the strength they need to deal with their ailments….Sad situation anyway you look at it.

Jump to this post

I completed their short survey regarding this new charge and shared that I thought messages were meant as a form of communication. I, also, shared I would resume calling the office. Health care wanted us to communicate this way and now charge us? I think I’ll choose long wait times on the phone..

REPLY
myfablife | @myfablife | Sep 1, 2023

I totally agree, I think that is absolutely outrageous. My TP coordinator is so available when I need her if I leave a message they get back with me /email quickly . My PCP is the same w/calls/emails also.

REPLY
laja | @laja | Sep 2, 2023
In reply to @summerof42 "Wrong on so many levels. I have yet to come across a medical facility charging for..." + (show)
@summerof42

Wrong on so many levels. I have yet to come across a medical facility charging for mychart messages. As if Mayo is not charging enough already!

My experience at Mayo, unfortunately, was not a good one. I remember leaving numerous messages via Mayo mychart after my visit and when I didn't receive a reply from the Doctor or his nurse or even an assistant, I also called and left several messages, all to no avail. Finally, after 3 weeks of begging and pleading, I said that I refused to hang up unless I can speak to the Internal MD I saw who wrote a Rx. I was told the doctor was too busy and he can't just call you and not get paid for it. What happened to ethics and oaths and just plain compassion and care? He was horrible!

I still cry to this day thinking how it took all my courage and strength and spent thousands of dollars to go to Mayo - all for nothing and received no help. All he did was order a ton of tests, some brutal, like the POTS and didn't even read the results when we had my follow up. In his notes he typed he was waiting for all final results but all the labs were done.

His report also didn't indicate I had LT Covid, yet that is what he told me verbally and prescribed Quanafacine. I had to fight for short term disability just because of his inadequate and incorrect notes. He should have his license revoked. I could file a complaint, but it would get declined and ignored since medical facilities are desperate for doctors. He even told me he was on the board for LT Covid Care Clinic, but knew nothing about Covid.

The only MD that was so wonderful, kind and truly caring, even called me at home every week to see how I was doing, and that was fabulous heart specialist, Dr. Robert Frye. Highly recommend him - FYI, he's in his 90's! That's probably why he's so kind and caring . . . old school ethics.

I know Mayo Clinic is an incredible top-run ship, saved many lives and an incredible facility, but for folks like us suffering with Long Term Covid, there is no help there. If there were, we would all not be on this forum. I do believe there a few small amount of lucky folks that may have received good support and help.

I only wish they would come on this forum for Post Covid Recovery and provide the treatment they received that helped, medications, the Doctor(s) they saw, etc. I know everyone is different but it would really help.

Mayo should provide me a number and name for the Doctors in the LT Covid Clinic Care who can help me since I went out there for treatment. All I received in mychart from an assistant was a link for relaxation, eating healthy foods, take it easy, don't push it, etc. Ridiculous, this is not what I paid thousands of dollars for and is useless, and medications for our symptoms are needed. The Doctor I saw should have connected me to those Doctors.

Jump to this post

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! You need to talk to the MAYO Clinics Ombusdmen and explain how you were cared for (or lack thereof) What they did to you was an outrage. Old school doctors are far and few these days and I can speak to that because I worked alongside them for 36 years as a nurse and SO many of them just blow you off and want the paycheck with no regards to the oath they took. Shame on them and what goes round comes round. They better be careful about karma because you know what they say about that.

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