Consumer Catch-up: doctor license alert app, Zebra printer recall, top airline fees

Friday, August 3, 2018
Consumer Catch-up: doctor license alert app, top airline fees
A new app is available to alert you if there are changes in your doctor's medical license. Plus, we have the list of airlines that charge the most fees per passenger. The consumer news you need to know for Thursday, August 2, 2018.

App alerts patients about doctor's medical licenses

A new app will notify patients if there are any issues with their doctor's medical license.

The Medical Board of California says the app will alert users to changes in the license profile, such as if the doctor has been issued a public reprimand or if the license is under probation.

State lawmakers are pushing for increased patient transparency and disclosure. They cite cases of doctors who continue to practice despite being under active investigations into sexual harassment and other malpractice issues.

Zebra Technologies recalls printer chargers

Almost 1.4 million printer chargers are under recall because of concerns the power units can corrode over time and catch fire.

The recall, announced Thursday, impacts Zebra brand thermal printer chargers. The company has received 30 reports of overheating or fires, including one that spread to the printer and damaged the surrounding work space.

Officials originally recalled the chargers in December 2016, and are now expanding the recall to include 1.2 million more units.

The chargers were made October 2006 - December 2012. Customers should stop using the chargers immediately, and contact Zebra for a free replacement.

You can check out all the model numbers under recall here.

Top airline fees

Low airline fares can quickly add up when you include extra taxes and fees.

IdeaWorks Company just reviewed those extra fees, and put out its annual list of airlines that charge the most per person.

Spirit Airlines came in at number one, with an average of $51 in fees per passenger.

WOW Air and Allegiant tied for second place, charging an average of $49 a person.

Much of the extra revenue these low-cost carriers bring in comes from extra fees. For Spirit, 40 percent of its extra revenue comes from baggage fees. For WOW air, baggage accounts for almost 66 percent of its extra cash.

Click here for a look at more stories by Michael Finney and 7 On Your Side.

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