Comments on: Online visits http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/02/online-visits.html Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:18:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/02/online-visits.html#comment-83335 Anonymous Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:24:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/02/online-visits.html#comment-83335 102 fever, went online, filled out a form, and was diagnosed with a "bacterial infection?" Just what bacterial infection was diagnosed with confidence with no physical exam? Maybe sinusitis, but that's it. 102 fever, went online, filled out a form, and was diagnosed with a “bacterial infection?” Just what bacterial infection was diagnosed with confidence with no physical exam? Maybe sinusitis, but that’s it.

]]> By: GingerBhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/02/online-visits.html#comment-83332 GingerB Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:57:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/02/online-visits.html#comment-83332 Seems like a good marketing device for plans looking to attract younger, smarter working folks.<br/><br/>It seems like there are big chunks of the retired population whose main entertainment is going to the doctor. Why would they change their ways? <br/><br/>It's people with something else to do, like work, who would benefit from not fighting traffic for a follow-on or routine visit. Seems like a good marketing device for plans looking to attract younger, smarter working folks.

It seems like there are big chunks of the retired population whose main entertainment is going to the doctor. Why would they change their ways?

It’s people with something else to do, like work, who would benefit from not fighting traffic for a follow-on or routine visit.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/02/online-visits.html#comment-83328 Anonymous Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:47:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/02/online-visits.html#comment-83328 Not a good idea.<br/>There is no substitute for a face-to-face encounter, period.<br/>Any insurance company jumping on board with reimbursing for on line visits is doing it for one reason only: they think it is going to save them money.<br/><br/>Just like radiologists endorsing teleradiology, any doctor endorsing online visits will eventually be replaced by a cheaper, but licensed, doctor oversees.<br/><br/>If the insurance companies are so interested in access and convenience, why don't they reimburse telephone calls?<br/><br/>By the way, there is a role for online consultations, but only in remote areas, i.e. Alaska, where true access is not possible.<br/><br/>Over the years, I've heard others curse the first doctor who decided to accept HMO payments; afterall, if that doctor said no, the movement would have died. But because that doctor started, all the others had to follow suit and where are we today?<br/><br/>Therefore, I implore you-DON'T START! As the great philosopher Nacy Reagan said, "Just say no!"<br/><br/>Underpaid in New York Not a good idea.
There is no substitute for a face-to-face encounter, period.
Any insurance company jumping on board with reimbursing for on line visits is doing it for one reason only: they think it is going to save them money.

Just like radiologists endorsing teleradiology, any doctor endorsing online visits will eventually be replaced by a cheaper, but licensed, doctor oversees.

If the insurance companies are so interested in access and convenience, why don’t they reimburse telephone calls?

By the way, there is a role for online consultations, but only in remote areas, i.e. Alaska, where true access is not possible.

Over the years, I’ve heard others curse the first doctor who decided to accept HMO payments; afterall, if that doctor said no, the movement would have died. But because that doctor started, all the others had to follow suit and where are we today?

Therefore, I implore you-DON’T START! As the great philosopher Nacy Reagan said, “Just say no!”

Underpaid in New York

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