Where can I get a new patient appointment in San Francisco this week?

May 16, 2012 2:34 PM

Where in San Francisco can I make a new patient appointment THIS WEEK?

I just moved to San Francisco three days ago. It's been a very hectic and busy month and I forgot about my stimulant prescription. It turns out that the state of California will only accept prescriptions for Focalin written by a California doctor--and I only have a week of pills left.

I tried making an appointment with UCSF but they don't have any new patient appointments until July. My prescription in Kentucky was written by my neurologist, a movement disorders specialist, but I don't see any reason why a primary care doctor couldn't write it for me here.

This is slightly complicated by the fact that I am still on Kentucky student insurance for the moment and I'll be paying mostly out-of-pocket for the visit. (My insurance only pays the full amount for University of Louisville doctors.)

Anybody have ideas for me?

posted by sunnichka to health & fitness (7 answers total)

I have no personal experience with them, but I bet you'd have success at One Medical. Matt Haughey knows the founders, I believe.
posted by radioamy at 2:38 PM on May 16, 2012

Check your memail.
posted by madcaptenor at 2:41 PM on May 16, 2012

For a quick one-off, Concentra Urgent Care is probably your best bet.
I was at the downtown SF location this Saturday and was seen immediately. Make sure the doctor also PRINTS his name on the scrip. Mine scrawled his, and the pharmacy made me call them back to get the exact spelling, since the prescription pad only had the company name printed on it.

A "basic" visit if you're paying out of pocket is about $125, and their website has a coupon for $10 off.


One Medical is also good, if you plan to use them on an ongoing basis. However, you have to pay ~$100 a year for the privilege, on top of the cost of visits.
posted by CruiseSavvy at 2:56 PM on May 16, 2012

Thanks everyone! I just called Concentra. They'll accept my student insurance and see me today if I walk in before 6:30pm. GREAT!
posted by sunnichka at 3:35 PM on May 16, 2012

Try looking for appointments through ZocDoc.
posted by ocherdraco at 3:35 PM on May 16, 2012

Awesome!
posted by ocherdraco at 3:35 PM on May 16, 2012

Wow, ZocDoc is also great. Thanks, I'll use that next time!
posted by sunnichka at 3:39 PM on May 16, 2012