How do I get medical care?
July 13, 2020 8:13 AM Subscribe
I have had new, unexplained lightheadedness and dizziness for the past week, to the point where I fell and sprained part of my hand. My primary care doctor hasn't been refilling my prescriptions or answering the phone since the pandemic started. It looks like they're now doing telehealth, but when I try to call them, I get a busy signal. I've tried calling other doctors' offices, but none are taking new patients due to coronavirus. How can I get care? Are there magic words I need to be using?
Response by poster: My insurer doesn't provide any sort of nurse hotline; neither does my employer.
posted by marfa, texas at 8:21 AM on July 13, 2020
posted by marfa, texas at 8:21 AM on July 13, 2020
Have you tried using ZocDoc to find an appointment?
posted by pinochiette at 8:25 AM on July 13, 2020
posted by pinochiette at 8:25 AM on July 13, 2020
Or, go to an urgent care clinic.
posted by pinochiette at 8:27 AM on July 13, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by pinochiette at 8:27 AM on July 13, 2020 [1 favorite]
Your city should have hospitals dedicated to non covid services. Are you comfortable sharing your location?
posted by perdhapley at 8:39 AM on July 13, 2020
posted by perdhapley at 8:39 AM on July 13, 2020
What about urgent care? I'd try just showing up somewhere. Can you get someone to drive you? You shouldn't be driving but showing up might be the only way. Dizziness can be a Covid symptom. How's your sense of smell & taste?
posted by bleep at 8:44 AM on July 13, 2020
posted by bleep at 8:44 AM on July 13, 2020
I would call (or walk in) to the closest urgent care that takes your insurance.
posted by mskyle at 9:02 AM on July 13, 2020
posted by mskyle at 9:02 AM on July 13, 2020
I can request appointments via MyChart; does your doc use that or something similar? I can also email with my provider through MyChart.
posted by cooker girl at 9:27 AM on July 13, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by cooker girl at 9:27 AM on July 13, 2020 [1 favorite]
I assume the reason you haven’t already walked through the doors of an urgent care is COVID. I would start by calling nearby urgent cares that take your insurance and asking them about their COVID precautions. Then, assuming one satisfies your needs, go.
Dizziness causing falls is no joke.
Also be prepared to describe your dizziness: lightheaded vs. room-spinning vs. your own description. Dizziness is important but unfortunately we use the word to describe a few distinct things.
posted by ocherdraco at 9:46 AM on July 13, 2020 [1 favorite]
Dizziness causing falls is no joke.
Also be prepared to describe your dizziness: lightheaded vs. room-spinning vs. your own description. Dizziness is important but unfortunately we use the word to describe a few distinct things.
posted by ocherdraco at 9:46 AM on July 13, 2020 [1 favorite]
Your insurance may have a partnership with a telehealth service - check the website. BC/BS spams me weekly to remind me that I can use MDLive if I need it.
posted by COD at 3:12 PM on July 13, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by COD at 3:12 PM on July 13, 2020 [1 favorite]
Try contacting your county/city public health department. Many of them operate clinics.
posted by CrunchyFrog at 9:35 PM on July 13, 2020
posted by CrunchyFrog at 9:35 PM on July 13, 2020
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by bq at 8:16 AM on July 13, 2020