Patient Information 

An eConsult, or electronic consultation, is a way for your healthcare provider (your primary care doctor or another provider) to request advice from a specialist without you needing a separate specialty care appointment. 

• eConsults are used for non-urgent medical questions. 
• An eConsult is a conversation that takes place between providers only—it is physician-to-physician communication. 
• Your doctor shares your health information, including lab results, notes and a specific question about your condition via the electronic health record (EHR)—a secure electronic platform. 
• This communication is asynchronous. The specialist reviews the information when they are able and sends written recommendations back to your provider. 
• Eighty percent of eConsults are completed without an in-person specialty visit, but sometimes the specialist will recommend an in-person visit and will communicate with your provider about helping you prepare. 

eConsults are designed to give you timely, efficient access to specialty expertise while enabling your care to be managed locally by your trusted healthcare provider. 

Key benefits include:

•  Faster Access You can receive advice or input from a specialist without waiting weeks or months for a traditional in-person appointment. The specialist usually responds to your provider within less than three business days. 
  
• Reduced Travel and Time An eConsult may enable you to avoid unnecessary in-person visits, saving travel time and the hassle of taking time off work.  
  
• Lower Costs eConsults may result in fewer out of pocket expenses compared to an in-person specialty visit. 
  
• Better Quality Care eConsults improve how your doctors coordinate your care by allowing your provider to start care sooner and manage your care directly. eConsults may also help avoid unnecessary tests or emergency department (ED) visits. Your provider also gains knowledge from the specialist—information that can help care for you and other patients in the future. 

Yes, you may receive a bill for an eConsult, but the cost is often much lower than an in-person specialist appointment. 

• The specialist will often charge for their time and expertise associated with reviewing your case and providing recommendations. 
• The amount you may be billed varies depending on your insurance coverage. These guidelines provide a general estimate:  
  • There is typically no cost for patients with Medicaid coverage.  
  • The cost for an eConsult for low-income patients is on a sliding scale. For Medicare patients, coverage is usually less than $35.  
  • The cost for patients with managed care plans (most cover eConsults) is typically comparable to a specialist copay.  
  • The cost for patients with high-deductible health plans could be as high as $175.  
• If the specialist reviews your information and decides you need an in-person appointment, there is no charge for the eConsult. 

UCHealth Patients: (866) 429-6045 

CU Patients: (303) 493-7700 or email [email protected], https://www.cumedicine.us/patient-info/billing-inquiries  

An eConsult is a consultation between two providers (provider-to-provider), so your provider must initiate the eConsult. 

• Your provider must first get your consent before submitting the eConsult.
• Your provider is required to tell you about the eConsult process and any potential associated costs to ensure you agree to the service. 
• You can always ask your provider if an eConsult is an appropriate option when specialty care is needed. 

You will hear back about the specialist’s recommendations from your provider. 

• The specialist sends their recommendations (in a written report) back to your provider through the secure EHR.
• Your PCP remains in charge of managing your care, so they are responsible for communicating the specialist's recommendations to you and making treatment decisions.
• Specialists are expected to respond to your provider within three business days. The average response time for an eConsult is less than two business days. 

If the specialist recommends that you be seen in-person, either your provider will reach out to you, or the specialist office will contact you to schedule an appointment.