The use of phone numbers which charge a premium rate to contact the NHS is to be banned in England.
Health minister Mike O'Brien announced the change after a public consultation on the issue attracted almost 3,000 responses.
"We want to reassure the public that when they contact their local GP or hospital, the cost of their call will be no more expensive than if they had dialled a normal landline number," O'Brien said.
"It is clear from the feedback we have received that patients support the banning of any number or tariff which is more expensive to call.
"For people on low incomes, and for those who need to contact their local doctor or hospital regularly, these costs can soon build up."
Around 1,200 GP surgeries are believed to use the premium rate 084 numbers.
Patients will still dial 084 numbers to contact their doctor, but now will only pay for the cost of a local call.
Dr Richard Vautrey, deputy chairman of the British Medical Association's GPs committee, said: "Patients who call their surgery because they're ill shouldn't be penalised because they have to call an 084 number.
"We're pleased that the phone companies who supply these lines to practices have agreed to ensure that their tariffs are in line with local charges."
Katherine Murphy, director of the Patients' Association, said: "It's great that the Department of Health has listened to patients. Asking them to pay extra costs for phone calls was unreasonable.
"Patients have had to wait long enough for the ruling-let's hope the change happens as quickly as possible."
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd