Some of the nation's biggest health systems, including the Cleveland Clinic, have begun charging fees for some email correspondence.
According to the New York Times, electronic communications with providers have exploded in recent years, and responses can eat up hours each day for clinical staff. Medicare allows providers to bill for these responses, and many private insurers have followed suit, which can lead to patient co-pays.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
