Perhaps we are crazy, or gluttons for punishment, (choose 1 or apply any appropriate label) but, we stopped using an answering service years ago. Instead, (here it comes) we either forward the lunch hour and after hours calls to our cell phones using call forwarding or answering machine, with directions to call us on our cell phones.
It works well for our patients, and hasn't been much of an added burden for on call times. I find that not having to call patients back saves time and reduces frustration of dealing with busy signals or patients not answering calls. No added cost, and far fewer calls inquiring about labs and appointments.
