I have done two video apt and frankly I thought they went great......I Dr was running a little behind and stumbled a little with the app, but the Dr knew what was going on order my meds and off I went.
Best part I didn’t have to worry who was around me.

My Dr charged a flat $50 per call

I wouldn’t do that either. I would find another doctor if you can. I have been too all my appointments in the past few months. I personally didn’t have an issue going into offices. And no I actually do medical billing, the price “should” be cheaper on phone call visit.

I love teleconferencing. It's much easier, saves driving and waiting room time and there's no risk of germs.

Theres a pandemic going on. Remember? Why would a dr want you in their office just to talk to you. This is convenient and easy and if you dont know how to do it, it doesnt make it bad. Learn how. What do you care what the insurance pays for it? Let them dispute it. Even after the pandemic, Im sure this will be a regular practice. Get used to it

It really doesn't matter what the insurance company pays your doctor what important is you get quality safe health care with no additional out of pocket cost. What would you say if you were charged more for an in person visit? Would you then be more open to telemed appointment? I've had two Telemed appts and they were both great discussion and very efficient.
Don't you think in this troublemose times you would opt for the safest appt possible?
Participating in a video(Telemed) dr appt is no more difficult than logging into a local blog to bitch about how you don't know how to do them.

our dr.'s give us the option to do tele-appts. we did a few & were not satisfied by the 'visit.' you can request to see the dr. in person, by telling the office video calls are not satisfactory.

It's not always an option.

Not always, I didnt / don't.

Are you a doc in The Villages or close?

I have experienced video and phone visits and. Have been very satisfied with both. Saves me time and get desired results, if a serious issue the Doctor will see you. I recommend both for routine checkups.

I would agree, but I am now charged a $25 copay every time the doctor calls me, even for a 5 minute call, and he bills the call as an office visit. Before the virus, he used to call with a routine test result and there was no charge. And, you usually cannot get an in-person appointment. Some doctors are obviously taking advantage of the virus situation with no increase in safety.

I too was skeptical initially of my doctor’s office offer to handle a consultation by a video call. However I found my doctor more relaxed and with more time available to answer questions following up on recent test results. And yes, “telemedicine” is now being reimbursed by major insurance carriers and Medicare.

I decline those
 

That's ridiculous. The only reason they want the phone call is for billing. No doctor can evaluate you over the phone; especially without video. How would he / she notice anything physical. A buddy of mine was offered a video call for a heart check up. How the hell will they do an EKG to check his heart over the phone / internet. Answer: they won't. But the "appointment" would be billable and that's the main reason for these virtual doctor's visits. If I don't get to see a doctor, I'm not paying a doctor.

And, yes, they will charge the SAME high price as they would for an office visit.

Fear of this virus, media and politically driven, has people going batty. This tele stuff is okay for more routine issues but a doctor can see things that you are not telling them about or notice irregularities which may be subtle. I would like to meet the mechanic who can fix your car over the phone.