Colorado Medical Society

Introduced by: Arapahoe-Douglas-Elbert Medical Society

Subject: After-hours Calls:  Reimbursement Issues

Referred to: Reference Committee on Health Affairs

WHEREAS, physicians are obligated to answer an increasing number of calls after office hours, and

WHEREAS, these physicians are medically and legally liable to take additional time to document said calls, and

WHEREAS, the cost of providing this service is increasing, for example: Children’s Hospital has raised its after hours fees to $15.00 per call at night and $10 per call during the day, a charge Pediatricians must absorb, and

WHEREAS, these phone calls should be covered by the patient’s insurance because they do constitute a patient contact, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that physicians, who are medically and legally liable for the professional services they render during after hours calls, and who must take time for proper documentation, should, therefore, be compensated for their professional expertise and time, and be it further

RESOLVED, that physicians be allowed to bill and receive fair compensation for after hours calls, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Colorado Medical Society Delegation to the American Medical Association take to the AMA House of Delegates a resolution that would provide a mechanism for physicians to be reimbursed for after-hours calls.

FISCAL IMPACT: None