Patient Update:

Dear Patients,

We would like to notify all our patients of updates regarding medical advice obtained through messaging electronically via our Patient Portal.

Sending your provider a message can be a convenient way to contact your provider and their team. Please remember, for your safety, do not use messaging to communicate urgent or emergent medical issues ~ please call your healthcare team or visit your nearest Immediate Care Center or Emergency Room, depending on the severity of your emergency.

Most medical responses from our practice are at no cost to patients. if a response to your message requires medical expertise or decision-making due to the complexity of your issue, your provider will offer you the option of scheduling an in-person or telehealth visit or provide you with medical advice as an online visit to be billed to your insurance carrier. Based on your insurance plan, you may have a copay or co-insurance. To better understand your costs related to receiving medical advice via messages, please get in touch with your insurance carrier and reference the type of visit as online digital evaluation and management. You may owe a copay or co-insurance for these services.

Examples of messages that may result in a charge include:

• A new issue or symptom requiring medical assessment or a referral.
• Adjusting medications or prescribing a new medication.
• A flare-up or change in a chronic or ongoing condition.
• Extensive time reviewing your medical history. 

Examples of messages that may not result in a charge include:

• A physician, nurse, or physician assistant response is not required.
• A request to schedule, cancel or change an appointment.
• General questions that non-medical staff members can answer.
• A routine medication refill request.
• Status update note to your provider.

Sincerely,

Westmoreland OB/Gyn Associates