Don't bother with doc says NHS.

I make the rounds to various international newspapers and saw this advice in today's Telegraph on how to handle swine flu:

Official advice is stay at home and log on to the NHS Direct website, consult
the Swine Flu Information Line (08001 513 513) or your GP for advice by phone.

If swine flu is confirmed as a phone diagnosis, then
you will be given an authorisation voucher - this means someone who can act as
your 'flu friend' can collect it from your GP's surgery and take it to a chemist
to pick up Tamiflu (or the alternative anti-viral relenza, if you cannot take
Tamiflu, for example because you are pregnant).
'Avoid going to your GP surgery.There may be people in the waiting room with underlying health issues for whom swine flu could be very dangerous,' says Dr Baker.


Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1199760/SWINE-FLU-Your-vital-questions-answered.html#ixzz0LQzM0YON

Is it even legal in the US to make diagnosis by phone? I have a low level UTI right now and I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to pay the $150 for the doctor visit that is required so that I can get the $4 cipro from WalMart. Just seems like there is a lot we could do to lower costs in the US without disrputing the lives of patients and the livelihoods of providers.