Full office visit co-pay charged for MyChart message

[u/arwenthenoble]

I had a question about a temporary medication I was taking and sent a message via MyChart. The message was only regarding the medication (no other health questions were asked).

I received my EOB and was charged a full $50 co-pay like when I go in person for a visit or have a full video visit. When I looked online, I see in general messaging costs listed as much lower than a visit. Does this mean my insurance doesn’t differentiate a full visit from a brief question in a message? If I had known, I would’ve scheduled an online telehealth visit instead.

I’ve had a lot of medical costs this year and another random $50 stings. I will avoid using MyChart going forward.

[u/NavyBeanz]

I feel very badly for your patients 

[u/NavyBeanz → u/[deleted]]

I am 109 lbs 

[u/nyc2pit → u/NavyBeanz]

Saw your deleted comment.

I'm the reality your doctors can't say to your face.

[u/NavyBeanz → u/nyc2pit]

I didn’t delete it. 

You sound like a bitter millennial who despises patients. That’s not how a doctor should be. If you hate people so much you should have gone into a different industry. 

I don’t abuse any service my own doctors have offered to me 

[u/nyc2pit → u/NavyBeanz]

That's your story and you're sticking to it. Good on you.

I used to be a people person, actually. Then I met most "people."

The reality is people will suck as much out of you as you're willing to give. Why do you think so many docs are "assholes" or have "no bedside manner?" It's a defense mechanism brought on by years of the nonsense we have to put up with.

As I said, I'm the id your doctor hides from you. As I hide it from those I see.

But the very least I expect it to be paid for my time. So I bill. Extremely well, actually.

[u/NavyBeanz → u/nyc2pit]

From your usage of particular slang I doubt you’ve been in the business for years and years. 

[u/nyc2pit → u/NavyBeanz]

12+ years actually, Inspector Clouseau