Walk in Clinics?

[JillA 2]

Hi All,

So I know in Canada, you see "walk in clinics" everywhere. For after hours and weekends, if you need to see a Doctor you can walk in and wait to see a doctor who isn't your regular doctor. And luckily, you don't need to pay a penny!

I never see walk in clinics anywhere here. Do they have them, or no because of the insurance issue? I'm just wondering, as if your doctor is closed or cannot see you right away what are you supposed to do? Go to the hospital?

The reason I ask, is because my regular doctor is busy and I have a medical issue that need to get attended to fairly soon, but it's not an emergency where I want to go to the hospital or anything. If I was at home, I would go to a walk in clinic. I don't really know the procedures here I guess

[SapphireDreams 71]

They have them in New York here where I live.

You could always call your Dr.'s office and ask them if they know of any walk-in clinics.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

My doctor works with a number of other doctors and while they take appointments they also have a 'walk in' clinic type of approach so that if there are no appointments available that day you are welcome to come and 'wait' and they will try to squeeze you in somewhere. It often includes waiting 5 or 6 hours but maybe that is an option. You still pay when you see the doctor though - no freebies:-).

You could also try googling 'walk-in clinics' for your area and see what comes up. Also, CVS Pharmacy in this area offers a health clinic with nurse practitioners who can provide basic medical services. That may also be something that fits your needs. They accept insurance plus they have non-insured fees posted for those who lack insurance.

Good luck.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

I'm just getting introduced to our insurance system, but we use Kaiser Permanente in the event you need medical attention and your regular doctor is busy or unavailable, they just transfer you to another available doctor. They have a 'primary care' department which acts like an emergency room for minor emergencies. When my husband tripped and sprained his ankle a couple weeks ago, he called the insurance agency and they found him an immediate appointment with an available doctor in one of the local offices. I would guess it depends on what type of health insurance you have and who you get it through. He said he hasn't seen his regular doctor in a couple years, simply because whenever he needs something he isn't available until to far into the future.

[JillA 2]

Thanks guys, it really really sucks having to worry about insurance, co-pays, etc. It really makes me second guess going to a clinic, hospital, if needed. Obviously if it's an emergency I would, but you know what I mean. I hate the unknown factor out there, you hear horror stories about medical stuff and it really bothers me that I even have to THINK about that. I.E. not being able to afford treatment, etc. You should never have to worry about getting health care. If I was at home, I'd go to the walk-in clinic and feel comfort

Edited August 25, 2009 by JillA

[JillA 2]

My doctor works with a number of other doctors and while they take appointments they also have a 'walk in' clinic type of approach so that if there are no appointments available that day you are welcome to come and 'wait' and they will try to squeeze you in somewhere. It often includes waiting 5 or 6 hours but maybe that is an option. You still pay when you see the doctor though - no freebies:-).

You could also try googling 'walk-in clinics' for your area and see what comes up. Also, CVS Pharmacy in this area offers a health clinic with nurse practitioners who can provide basic medical services. That may also be something that fits your needs. They accept insurance plus they have non-insured fees posted for those who lack insurance.

Good luck.

Thanks Kathryn, I found a clinic at my local CVS, I had no clue they had that service. I think I'll pop by there tonight, they take my insurance

[Flames9_RN 358]

Many drug stores such as CVS have them in the DC area

[The Dude 206]

They have walk-in clinics all over Los Angeles. I am fortunate enough that my health insurance group is massive enough that if something happens after your doctor is off his normal shift that they have many other GP's available. Because of their size and scope, I dont' think they would pay for me to go to one of the walk-in clinics though.

[JillA 2]

It's so wierd, I guess I just haven't seen any around here. I don't live in a big city, about 30 mins north of Philly in the burbs. Around where I used to live in Canada, you saw them everywhere. I just thought maybe they weren't as frequent because of the insurance/health care issue

[Carlawarla 1]

I know that Walgreens has a Take Care Clinic. It's manned by a Nurse Practitioner. I don't know how that works with your insurance, might be a bigger co-pay. We're just getting our first CVS Pharmacy here in my area, but it hasn't opened yet. We do have several "urgent care" clinics here. They are "walk-in", and are part of the local hospital. Several locations. They do work with your insurances and I've never used them, but Gene said, you get in fast, and it's to be used for things that need attention that don't require a trip to Emergency, but need to be attended to right away, and you can't get a medical appointment. Our co-pay for a Dr.'s visit is $20.00. Gene says a visit to Urgent Care if about $50.00.

[Krikit 1,164]

We have Urgent Cares, too, but I didn't know what they were. Thanks for the informative post, Carla.

We don't have any clinics in the drugstores. Well, none that I'm aware of, anyway. This whole health system confuses me. I guess once I start using it, it'll become clearer. I've been putting off going for a checkup for this very reason. Plus, you have to find a doctor who is in your "network". #######?? Someone should give classes on how to live in America.

[Carlawarla 1]

We have Urgent Cares, too, but I didn't know what they were. Thanks for the informative post, Carla.

We don't have any clinics in the drugstores. Well, none that I'm aware of, anyway. This whole health system confuses me. I guess once I start using it, it'll become clearer. I've been putting off going for a checkup for this very reason. Plus, you have to find a doctor who is in your "network". #######?? Someone should give classes on how to live in America.

Yeah, that whole network ####### gets to me...I keep thinking of Verizon. And speaking of Verizon, what do they mean in cell phone commercials when they say things like 3G? What is a "G"? LOL

[Krikit 1,164]

I have no idea. I suppose we could google it.

[thetreble 19]

There is only ONE urgent care that I have seen, and it was in a really bad area of NJ. I was sick and I drove to it..but ended up passing it because I was too scared to go in.

As someone said, there are offices that will let you sit and wait without an appointment and they will try to fit you in. I did that twice at this place where I used to live and both times I waited over 3 hours. I guess you gotta do what you gotta do.

To be honest with you though, those kind of Dr.s Offices around here are often dirty and not well kept up. I had no insurance at the time and I hardly had to pay anything so they weren't making a lot of money off the patients.

Ah! I also HATE this network thing! My teeth are crumbling and I haven't seen a stupid dentist in 3 years because the dentists in my network are SO FAR.

[JillA 2]

I have no idea. I suppose we could google it.

G stands for gigabytye... when they say 3G I think they mean that's the amount of storage you have on your Iphone? I know it has something to do with internet on your phone