Consumer demand for online consults increases.

About 85 percent of U.S. physicians communicate with colleagues, drug companies, hospitals and health plans via e-mail, according to a recent study by Manhattan Research. Yet far fewer doctors correspond with patients electronically, researchers found, despite a rising consumer demand for online e-consults about non-urgent medical matters.

Statistics indicate at least 51 million consumers want to communicate with physicians via e-mail. Three key areas--patient satisfaction, reimbursement models and liability--must be "better understood" for online communication to increase between patients and physicians, according to Manhattan Research. There are currently payment and reimbursement models and pilot projects emerging, including some that divide the payment between the health plan and the patient.

A new CPT code might also encourage physicians to communicate with their patients electronically. The code, for online evaluation and management services, took effect July 1. Kent More, manager of healthcare financing and delivery systems for the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), said the new code is worth noting "because we are observing more payers who are willing to consider reimbursement for these kinds of services." Even if payers are not willing to reimburse, he added, the CPT code provides a mechanism for tracking online evaluation and management services through existing billing processes and charging patients where appropriate. For more information, go to www.rsleads.com/408ht-210.