Big Insurers Pay for Online Doctor Visits

With a plan such as RelayHealth, that has the potential to integrate with Electronic Medical Records and facilitate e-prescribing, a data audit trail can track each entry and lab ordering can be done as well through the system...and obviously all the needed information is systematically sent to the insurer to document the visit and hopefully make the payment to the physician available...patient pays the same co-pay amount as would be charged in an actual office visit....a built in system takes the place of normal email to ensure all communications are encrypted...lot's of data tentacles that need to reach out and update other health care areas to make this work....BD 

Doctors are finally starting to get compensated for online consultations with patients, but whether the practice will catch on is another story.

Aetna recently took a three-state pilot project nationwide, and Cigna plans to start paying for Web visits next year, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. 

Both companies contract with RelayHealth, a company that has built a system for secure, online consults for simple health issues. Patients typically pay the same co-pay whether they go to the doctor or have a Web consult. Insurers pay doctors less for the Web consult — typically $25 to $35, according to the Inquirer.

Health Blog : Big Insurers Pay for Online Doctor Visits