I need a Manhattan-based walk-in clinic.
November 11, 2010 6:36 PM Subscribe
Today is my third day staying home from work with a bad cold-like virus (at least, I assume it's a virus). My girlfriend thinks I ought to see a doctor tomorrow, and I agree. Thus, I need your recommendations for walk-in clinics in Manhattan. Where should I go to get a doctor's opinion?
On late Monday afternoon, the minor cold I'd been nursing through the weekend finally came to a head, with me just feeling exhausted and awful - totally raw throat, fully congested, worried that I'd get someone else in the office sick. (I work with a firm that primarily does election-related projects, so this is not only a slow time, but everyone is very sympathetic to the need to take post-election time off.) Tuesday and Wednesday were spent at home mostly miserable, and while I woke up this morning ready to work from home and maybe even make it to the office, by the afternoon I was feeling exhausted again.
While I've got insurance (Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield NJ), as far as I know it only covers care in New Jersey, and there's just no way I can get myself to my regular doctor in South Jersey right now. I'm hoping that I can get to a doctor at a walk-in clinic tomorrow, one that will not punish me too badly on the financial side for not having insurance that covers NY-based physicians.
My girlfriend has been an enormous help (as is her wont, as she is wonderful), and suggested that I might ask MeFi about walk-in clinics in the city.
I live around Morningside Park, and the less I have to travel from my apartment, the better. (I felt light-headed and fully spent earlier today.) Thanks.
On late Monday afternoon, the minor cold I'd been nursing through the weekend finally came to a head, with me just feeling exhausted and awful - totally raw throat, fully congested, worried that I'd get someone else in the office sick. (I work with a firm that primarily does election-related projects, so this is not only a slow time, but everyone is very sympathetic to the need to take post-election time off.) Tuesday and Wednesday were spent at home mostly miserable, and while I woke up this morning ready to work from home and maybe even make it to the office, by the afternoon I was feeling exhausted again.
While I've got insurance (Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield NJ), as far as I know it only covers care in New Jersey, and there's just no way I can get myself to my regular doctor in South Jersey right now. I'm hoping that I can get to a doctor at a walk-in clinic tomorrow, one that will not punish me too badly on the financial side for not having insurance that covers NY-based physicians.
My girlfriend has been an enormous help (as is her wont, as she is wonderful), and suggested that I might ask MeFi about walk-in clinics in the city.
I live around Morningside Park, and the less I have to travel from my apartment, the better. (I felt light-headed and fully spent earlier today.) Thanks.
According to the site you linked to, if you have a little briefcase on your insurance card, you can use the national network. Heck, I'd call the number on the back of your card and say "Hey insurance company! I'm in NYC and sick as a dog and can't get to South Jersey. What do I do for medical care that you'll cover?" Get them to do the legwork for you.
posted by The Michael The at 7:05 PM on November 11, 2010
posted by The Michael The at 7:05 PM on November 11, 2010
Duane Reade walk in clinics are great. Can you get to 86th and Lex or 50th and Broadway?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:16 PM on November 11, 2010
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 7:16 PM on November 11, 2010
Institute for Family Health at Union Sq. was fantastic when I needed a doctor on the fly. I ended up using their Primary Health care system because of the great care I received when I walked in.
They also do free clinics.
Best of all, they do huge amount of stuff electronically, so I can email my doctor, and get a response within a day.
It's not the prettiest/shiniest of clinics, but I've been treated amazingly there.
posted by larthegreat at 8:16 PM on November 11, 2010
They also do free clinics.
Best of all, they do huge amount of stuff electronically, so I can email my doctor, and get a response within a day.
It's not the prettiest/shiniest of clinics, but I've been treated amazingly there.
posted by larthegreat at 8:16 PM on November 11, 2010
Definitely call your insurance co. to see who you can see locally. My insurance is Blue Cross of Texas - and I've never had a problem seeing anyone here in Washington State.
posted by spinifex23 at 8:38 PM on November 11, 2010
posted by spinifex23 at 8:38 PM on November 11, 2010
Also, your insurance may have a 24 hour Dial a Nurse hotline in which you can call to discuss your symptoms.
posted by spinifex23 at 8:39 PM on November 11, 2010
posted by spinifex23 at 8:39 PM on November 11, 2010
I get a lot of colds, followed by unsatisfying doctor visits. Cold viruses are untreatable, so the best a doctor can do is write a script for (prescription) zyrtec or something. Not sure whether that's worth a visit or not. A pharmacist may suggest a good OTC combo for your symptoms.
However, if your cold has turned into an infection of some sort you'll have to have an antibiotic. Which is worth the visit.
A good indicator is the color of your snot (gross, I know). Generally an infection will cause your mucus to be a lovely shade of green. Clear or white means no infection.
Sorry you feel bad.
posted by shopefowler at 10:01 PM on November 11, 2010
However, if your cold has turned into an infection of some sort you'll have to have an antibiotic. Which is worth the visit.
A good indicator is the color of your snot (gross, I know). Generally an infection will cause your mucus to be a lovely shade of green. Clear or white means no infection.
Sorry you feel bad.
posted by shopefowler at 10:01 PM on November 11, 2010
However, if your cold has turned into an infection of some sort you'll have to have an antibiotic. Which is worth the visit.
A cold is by definition an infection. Almost all colds are caused by viruses. Viral infections.
A good indicator is the color of your snot (gross, I know). Generally an infection will cause your mucus to be a lovely shade of green. Clear or white means no infection.
This is 100% false.
posted by gramcracker at 10:22 PM on November 11, 2010
A cold is by definition an infection. Almost all colds are caused by viruses. Viral infections.
A good indicator is the color of your snot (gross, I know). Generally an infection will cause your mucus to be a lovely shade of green. Clear or white means no infection.
This is 100% false.
posted by gramcracker at 10:22 PM on November 11, 2010
Best answer: I went to the Walk in Clinic NYC a few weeks ago. They take bc/bs (mine is out of Illinois, but the "Find a Doc" link on the website listed the drs at the clinic as in network). It's near Bryant Park, but was really fast (it's a bit of an assembly line, but they bring you in, check all of the vitals, sinuses, breathing, throat, ears, etc, and if needed will write you a script and have you on your way). If your insurance doesn't cover it, I believe it's $98 for the visit.
You may also want to call your GP in NJ and see if he'll evaluate your symptoms over the phone (i.e. he may be able to ask you a series of questions to determine whether it is more likely a bacterial or viral infection, and then, if bacterial, call you in a prescription).
posted by melissasaurus at 5:05 AM on November 12, 2010
You may also want to call your GP in NJ and see if he'll evaluate your symptoms over the phone (i.e. he may be able to ask you a series of questions to determine whether it is more likely a bacterial or viral infection, and then, if bacterial, call you in a prescription).
posted by melissasaurus at 5:05 AM on November 12, 2010
Response by poster: UGH.
Called them. Told I have HMO coverage, and no ability to see a doctor in New York. Spent an hour trying to clarify the nature of my account.
Called the national line, given totally different information, told there was a number of doctors I could see.
Called NJ line again. They said that I should get an Away-From-Home-Care Guest Membership, which means that I can have the NY network included in my HMO coverage. Got application. Took nap, exhausted.
Called NJ line again. They said that there was actually a whole bunch of doctors I could see. Then the phone line got disconnected.
Called again. Got someone who claims that because I applied for Guest Membership, I have given up my claim that I'm currently based in NJ, and don't actually have the ability to see a doctor in New York until the application is finished. At all. For the next 10-15 days.
I feel sick, frustrated, heartbroken, tired.
I want to move to Canada.
posted by Ash3000 at 2:06 PM on November 12, 2010
Called them. Told I have HMO coverage, and no ability to see a doctor in New York. Spent an hour trying to clarify the nature of my account.
Called the national line, given totally different information, told there was a number of doctors I could see.
Called NJ line again. They said that I should get an Away-From-Home-Care Guest Membership, which means that I can have the NY network included in my HMO coverage. Got application. Took nap, exhausted.
Called NJ line again. They said that there was actually a whole bunch of doctors I could see. Then the phone line got disconnected.
Called again. Got someone who claims that because I applied for Guest Membership, I have given up my claim that I'm currently based in NJ, and don't actually have the ability to see a doctor in New York until the application is finished. At all. For the next 10-15 days.
I feel sick, frustrated, heartbroken, tired.
I want to move to Canada.
posted by Ash3000 at 2:06 PM on November 12, 2010
Response by poster: Oh, and I can't log into the site, because they don't allow log-in with anything other than Internet Explorer on PC. They're hoping to expand to Mac by first quarter of 2011.
posted by Ash3000 at 2:21 PM on November 12, 2010
posted by Ash3000 at 2:21 PM on November 12, 2010
Response by poster: I scheduled an appointment for the walk-in clinic linked by melissasaurus for this morning, but ended up feeling so much better that I canceled it - had I still been feeling crummy, it would've been a lifesaver.
Thank everyone for their suggestions here. I'm going to be looking into changing my insurance ASAP - I had such an unbelievably terrible experience dealing with something as simple as cold-like symptoms that I can't imagine dealing with them during a grave emergency.
posted by Ash3000 at 6:05 AM on November 15, 2010
Thank everyone for their suggestions here. I'm going to be looking into changing my insurance ASAP - I had such an unbelievably terrible experience dealing with something as simple as cold-like symptoms that I can't imagine dealing with them during a grave emergency.
posted by Ash3000 at 6:05 AM on November 15, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by amro at 6:56 PM on November 11, 2010