Morning Medical Update: Why telemedicine isn’t always cheaper; Scheduling difficulties in primary care; Intermittent fasting vs. calorie restriction for type 2 diabetes

Why telemedicine isn’t always cheaper

Patients may be charged a facility fee during a telehealth visit, despite never stepping foot inside the clinic. Brittany Tesso, a Denver resident and mother of two, was charged over $800 for “facility fees” for her sons telehealth appointment in 2021. When she called to confirm the charge, the hospital said the fee was to cover employment costs for the clinic.

Scheduling difficulties in primary care

The current workforce shortage may make it harder for patients to schedule appointments with their doctors. In this article, Jeffrey Millstein, internist and regional medical director for Penn Primary Care, provides several helpful tips, including same day scheduling, and being open to seeing another provider on your team.

Intermittent fasting vs. calorie restriction for type 2 diabetes

A six month study demonstrated that intermittent fasting is slightly more effective than calorie restriction when it comes to addressing type 2 diabetes. Theories supporting this evidence say intermittent fasting stimulates alterations in nutrient pathways, lipid metabolism, and insulin sensitivity.