Changes to NorthShoreConnect medical advice messages
Effective November 8, 2022
Sending a message to your provider can be a convenient way to get medical advice. Depending on your needs and your schedule, this can be a useful alternative to an in-person, video or phone visit. Remember, for your safety, urgent or emergent medical issues should never be sent via a NorthShoreConnect message—please call your healthcare team or visit your nearest Immediate Care Center or Emergency Room depending on the severity of your condition.
Most message responses from your Medical Group provider are at no cost. However, if a response requires medical expertise or decision-making due to the complexity of your issue, your healthcare provider will offer you the option of scheduling an in-person or video visit – or – provide you with medical advice as an online visit to be billed to your insurance. You will never be charged for a qualifying message unless you provide your consent.
To better understand your costs related to medical advice messages and online visits, please contact your insurance provider and reference the type of visit as online digital evaluation and management.
Examples of messages that may result in a charge include:
- A new medical issue or symptom requiring an 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:
- Physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant response not required
- A question that can easily be responded to
- A routine medication refill request
- Status update note to your provider
Most message are taken care of quickly and not billed to insurance, but in instances where more expertise or decision-making is needed, this online visit option can be a useful opportunity.
To message your care provider:
- Log in to NorthShoreConnect.
- From the menu, select Messages under Communication.
- Select Send a Message then follow the prompts to choose the type of message to your healthcare provider.
We are committed to providing you with the best possible healthcare in-person, virtually and online.