UnityPoint 'MyChart' app to start charging for messages to doctors

One of Iowa's biggest healthcare systems is now charging patients to message their doctor.UnityPoint Health has an app called "MyChart," where patients can see their test results, schedule appointments and message their doctors.Starting on Tuesday, the messages to doctors will cost between $36 to $70. Unity Point says that patients' health insurance plans will cover some of them."This is really impacting when medical decision-making has to occur, so it is not all functions of MyChart," Dr. Patricia Newland with UnityPoint Health said. "The reason is we saw a tremendous increase in the number of patient portal messages primarily due to the pandemic."The amount people will pay is based on how much time it takes to fulfill the patients' concerns, not about the subject matter.There are exceptions to the new charges. Messages about appointments and refilling prescriptions will not be billed.You can find more information on UnityPoint's website.