• Center on Health Equity & Access
  • Clinical
  • Health Care Cost
  • Health Care Delivery
  • Insurance
  • Policy
  • Technology
  • Value-Based Care

Online Access To Docs Increases Office Visits, Study Finds

Article

Uncle Sam wants you to email your doctor. A federal law passed in 2009 says that physicians have to start offering their patients online communication, or Medicare will start docking how much it pays them in the future.

Some patients hope that having online access to their doctors will mean they can cut down on how often they have to go to the doctor's office. But new research suggests that patients with online access actually schedule more office visits.

Read the full story: http://bit.ly/10tkPDk

Source: Kaiser Health News (in collaboration with Colorado Public Radio and NPR)

Related Videos
A new study finds law enforcement presence in emergency departments may disrupt care. Lead author Prashasti Bhatnagar discusses policy and training solutions.
Jennifer Snow, MPA, NAMI
Jennifer Snow, MPA, NAMI
Dr Debra Patt
Most employees are unprepared to shop for coverage on their own, underscoring the need for stronger decision tools and consumer protections.
Experts warn that ICHRAs could either stabilize or destabilize the individual market, depending on which workers employers shift into these plans.
Eleanor Perfetto, PhD
Dr Jennifer Graff, Dr Joey Mattinly, and Brian Reid Dr Jennifer Graff and Brian Reid | Background image credit: ipopba - stock.adobe.com
Dr Jennifer Graff and Brian Reid | Background image credit: ipopba - stock.adobe.com
Related Content
Drug pricing | Image Credit: © TarikVision-stock.adobe.com

TrumpRx Launch Brings Savings—and Uncertainty

February 5th 2026
Article

First announced in September 2025, the online platform is set to offer access to prescription medications at steep discounts, with potential savings in the millions.

Read More

Managed Care Cast Square Image

The Orphan Drug Act in the Modern Drug Pricing Era

February 3rd 2026
Podcast

Policy strategist Kristi Martin discusses how the Orphan Drug Act reshapes rare disease treatment and drug-pricing challenges.

Listen

Many solutions to improve disparities in stroke care come down to appropriate tailoring for the target system and community. | Image credit: BJP7images - stock.adobe.com

Closing Gaps in Stroke Care Starts With Defining the US Health Care Safety Net

February 5th 2026
Article

Clearer definitions, tailored programs and policies, and telestroke care could help close rural stroke care disparities.

Read More

Transparency in Coverage Data to Expose Ghost Rates and Hold Payers Accountable: David Muhlestein, PhD

Transparency in Coverage Data to Expose Ghost Rates and Hold Payers Accountable: David Muhlestein, PhD

January 20th 2026
Podcast

David Muhlestein, PhD, breaks down ghost rates, data gaps, and why stronger oversight is needed to make Transparency in Coverage files usable for patients.

Listen

Jesse Dresser, Esq

New Regulations on PBMs Become Law: What This Means for Pharmacies Nationwide—A Q&A With Jesse Dresser, Esq

February 4th 2026
Article

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 features new language that could change the way that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) operate in the US.

Read More

AJMC original research policy

Increased Payments to Medicare Advantage Plans for Dually Eligible Beneficiaries

February 4th 2026
Article

Increasing Medicare Advantage payments for full Medicaid enrollees was not associated with meaningful changes in inpatient or nursing home use.

Read More

© 2026 MJH Life Sciences
AJMC®
All rights reserved.