Medical Advice Through MyUCDavisHealth Messages | MyUCDavisHealth | UC Davis Health

A new issue, concern or symptom that requires your provider to make a medical assessment, a diagnosis, and/or recommendations for further evaluation or treatment.

This may include:

• Ordering tests, such as imaging/scans or laboratory work
• Providing treatment recommendations
• Placing or pursuing a referral to another health care provider (such as a surgeon, cardiologist or endocrinologist)

A check-in about a chronic disease or condition (such as diabetes or coronary artery disease) that happens through online messages, instead of a set appointment.

Note: This can include situations when your condition has not changed, and you are now requesting information on your options, or a referral to another health care provider (such as a surgeon, cardiologist or endocrinologist).

A change in a chronic disease or condition (such as diabetes or coronary artery disease) that requires actions such as:

• Research
• Diagnosis
• Additional testing to help with diagnosis
• A change in your treatment recommendations
• A referral to another health care provider

Messaging about side effects from a prescription medication, if the messaging leads to new treatment recommendations or more testing or evaluation.

Here is one example of this: Let’s say that your blood pressure medication was changed at a provider visit a month ago. Today you send a message saying you cannot stand the side effects. In their response, your provider recommends a different medication, or more testing.

Messaging about test results, if the provider response is complex, takes more than 5 minutes, and/or leads to recommendations for things like more tests.

Here is one example of this: Let’s say that you send a message asking if a new lab test result is something to be concerned about. You have not yet talked about the new result during a past visit with your provider, and you do not have a future visit scheduled to talk about the results. In their response, your provider explains how the test result is medically important to your personal health. They order more blood or imaging tests to learn more, or recommend a new treatment approach or medication.

A request to complete a form (such as for work, school, assisted living, or life insurance).

Standard requests for refills of existing medications.

A request for an in-person, telephone or video appointment.

A message that leads your provider to recommend an in-person, video or telephone appointment in order to talk more, instead of talking more through MyUCDavisHealth messages.

Follow-up care for a surgery that took place in the past 90 days (with exceptions for some surgeries).

An update for your provider that does not need a response from them.

For example, you are not asking questions, bringing up new symptoms or concerns, or sharing new information.

Follow-up questions about symptoms, diagnosis, issues or concerns that were evaluated in the context of an in-person or video visit that took place within the past week.

A message that takes less than 5 minutes of total time to answer.

Questions about side effects from a prescription medication, if the messaging does not lead to new treatment recommendations or more testing or evaluation.

Here is one example of this: Let’s say that your blood pressure medication was changed at a provider visit a month ago. Today you send a message saying you cannot stand the side effects and have stopped taking the medication for now. In their response, your health care provider agrees with this approach until you can both follow up at your next regular visit.

Questions about test results, if your provider’s response is not complex, does not take more than 5 minutes, or does not require a long or complicated explanation.

Here is one example of this: Let’s say that you send a message asking if a new lab test result is something to be concerned about, because it is at the high end of normal range. Your provider sends a quick response saying the test result is not medically important to your health, and that no follow up is needed.

If you already talked about test results in a recent visit and you have more questions about them, your new questions are also not usually likely to be billed to insurance.

Cost of a Medical Advice Message

• For most patients, no out-of-pocket costs.
• For a small number of patients, the cost could be $3 to $6.
• For patients with Medicare Advantage, co-payment of $20 (the cost of an in-person visit or video visit).

Cost of a Medical Advice Message

• No out-of-pocket costs.

Cost of a Medical Advice Message

• Some patients will have co-payments similar to those for in-person visits or video visits. Common co-pays are $10 and $20.
• If a deductible applies, the full amount will be charged. The average amount is around $75.