E-mail means fewer patient calls and visits ...

Where's the CPT code for email...BD 

A Kaiser Permanente study showing that physicians who e-mailed with patients saw a drop in visits raises the specter that online communication might reduce revenue. But doctors who were early adopters in e-mailing patients -- and who didn't participate in the study -- say that even though such communication might keep some patients out of the office, it opens up more space for patients who might have a more pressing need to come in. And they say patient e-mail reduces the amount of time they spend on the telephone with patients -- which Kaiser's study also found to be true.

"In our view ... if you want your doctor's professional time and he uses his professional time to make a living, it is not unreasonable to pay him for his time," Dr. Fotsch said.

AMNews: Aug. 27, 2007. E-mail means fewer patient calls and visits ... American Medical News