What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

What do you think of these walk-in urgent cares opening up everywhere? There are literally 4 within a mile of my home. My copay is $75 since it's considered acute care, wondering if it's that much for everyone else? I was thinking how this could push the downfall of primary care providers. Ofcourse the convenience of walking in to see a doc at my own leisure is hard to deny.

What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

A lot of the ones I've seen are primary/urgent care which seems like an oxymoron. I went to one when I needed stitches because it was cheaper than the ER. But these places get packed! Primary docs have their own issues - it's almost like its a dying breed to have a family practitioner.

Re: What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

I don't mind them so much though I agree, do we really need so many in a 2 mile radius? It's cheaper then ER and you really get promt service.

Dh went for pain he was ignoring (of course) for weeks. They saw him right away (co-pay for our insurance was $55) drew blood, urine and sent him for a CT scan based on the belief it was a kidney stone. He wrote STAT on script for scan. Zwanger did it right away and within 2 hours from when he stepped foot into the urgent care, we had results that it was a kidney stone, prescriptions sent to our pharmacy and a referral to a urologist.

At the hospital (I have chronic kidney stones) I can spend the entire night waiting on the same exact things. Accept my co-pay is $250 and u bet your butt there was at least one intern who looked at me and doesn't take my insurance and I have to fight the bill.


after this long winded reply lol I have to say, I'm all for it.
I also have a friend who only goes to one in particular. It's like she made the dr there into her PCP

Re: What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

I don't mind them, but I've been seeing them pop up all over the place. Why do we need so many?

Re: What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

Re: What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

It depends on your insurance. For me the copay is the same as any dr office visit- $15

I love them.
I don't go to the Dr so when I get sick I like to be able to just walk in and be seen.

I get strep once every few years, I once had pink eye, one time i had 103 fever and got off the train and went straight there.

I think it's super convenient and efficient

Re: What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

I love the pediatric one. For us we have no copay as opposed to our regular pediatrician office. In my experiences we have had very short waits as compared to regular office where we wait for 1hr+.

I very rarely see a Dr. anyway but last time I was sick with flu I went to a STAT place primarily because I needed a Dr.'s note. I did have to wait for some time but again no copay.

What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

I think they are a great convenience. DH got sick last week and was able to walk in on a Saturday, get seen and get the medication he needed. Would have had to wait until at least Monday to even get in touch with his Dr.

I injured my wrist this week and was able to walk in and get it taken care of right away. I need to see my orthopedist for a knee injury and made an appointment 2 weeks ago for the 1st available appointment - JUNE 25! I would have been miserable if I had to wait weeks to have my wrist checked out.

I think they definitely serve a much needed purpose in our medical care system. Neither DH nor I needed to go to the ER, but we couldn't wait to see our regular Drs. either. My co-pay is only $20, so it's really worth it for me.

Re: What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

I think they are great. They even call me the next day to see how I was feeling. I still go to my primary but only for things like a yearly physical, blood work, more serious stuff!!

But Anything like an ear infection, cough, fever, strep I go to a walk in because its easier to not have to make an appointment. Also my job requires a note each time I am sick so going to these places helps with that too, since it could be a day or 2 to get an appointment with my dr.

Message edited 6/19/2015 9:57:08 AM.

What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

I've only had good experiences. Same copay for me with less wait and they actually spend more time than my pcp does with me.

What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

I just went to one for the first time a couple weeks ago because I woke up with a sore throat and had issues with my PCP and left his practice. I ended up having strep and tonsillitis and they called in a script for me. It was my regular $25 co-pay. Loved it.

What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

From a HC utilization stand point, they are wonderful. They have helped to alleviate the crowds in ERs immensely. They have also facilitated faster more cohesive care. They have also reduced healthcare spending greatly. I like them... for what they should be URGENT care - even sick care. But they should not be used as a stand-in for PCP. Your regular well visits should be done by your PCP, and any records from the Urgent care should be sent to your PCP.

Re: What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

I've used them before, both for me and the pediatric one for DD. I've had no complaints on them. For me it is super convient becuase my primary dr is out in Glen Cove and I am in Suffolk County. So the times I felt really cruddy, I was not about to drive all the way to Glen Cove. My DH even used one when he sliced his finger at work and need a few stiches. Love them!

Re: What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

Message edited 6/19/2015 11:09:44 AM.

What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

I went to one once when my dr was closed and I had horrible swelling in the back of my head. The "doctor" looked me over (eyes, ears, throat, etc., felt the lumps and told me that I should go the hospital because they were probably tumors.

It was gland swelling due to an ear infection.

ETA: my copay for urgent care is now $75 so I'd rather just wait to see my pcp. I can usually get a same day or next day appt.

Message edited 6/19/2015 11:10:53 AM.

Re: What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

I like them for emergency situations and for the extended hours during the week and weekends. My co pay is the same as a regular doctor. I'll always see my primary care doctor when I can buy for those times I can't I'm glad the walkin clinics are there.

Re: What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

Love the urgent care. Our co-pay is $50 and worth every penny. We both work in the city so our Dr's are there and it is impossible to get an appointment with them right away. Took DH several months ago to a new urgent care by us for a stomach pain (I have an insane fear of an appendix issue so I wanted him to get it checked even though he didn't have any typical signs of appendicitis). The urgent care Dr wasn't 100% sure if it was much more than just a stomach ache but to be sure sent us immediately to Zwanger for a scan where they ruled it appendicitis (which was caught before it became a true "emergency"). Dr at the urgent care referred us to an amazing surgeon and DH's appendix was removed that evening at the hospital. The urgent care Dr called the next day to check in on how DH was feeling. They were wonderful!

Re: What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

Message edited 6/19/2015 12:07:30 PM.

Re: What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

I am not crazy about them. I use them, but only when necessary. For example I caught strep from both of my kids this February. Sunday morning, I had 103 and vomiting, couldn't swallow. I knew I had strep and just wanted a rapid done and start antibiotics. If my PCP was open I would have gone, but I started to get sick Sat evening and I was getting worse by the hour. I didn't want to wait until Monday for medicine. I think they often over medicate, and misdiagnose sometimes. But if you are really sick, they can definitely do a strep test, check your ears for an infection, etc. I do not think people should make them their main doctors, but on a weekend when your main dr is closed they are a decent, less crowded alternative to the ER. There are some illnesses that need prompt attention not everything can wait until Monday, in those cases I think they are an alternative place to be seen.

Etd to add my co-pay is like $100 for urgent care $200 for ER but only $25 for primary so another reason to use it sparingly.

Message edited 6/19/2015 12:37:07 PM.

What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

Our PCP and our son's peds are fantastic. But for the Sunday when I started having chest pains, or when my son woke up from his nap with pink eye at 6 p.m., and the time his fever spiked to 103.something at 8:00 p.m., having walk-ins as an option were great.

What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

I use the Stat Health that opened near me...its also the only one close by. About a month ago, I had vertigo, I was so dizzy, I couldn't open my eyes and even with them closed everything was spinning. My regular doctor couldn't see me until 3...I called at 9. My husband drove me to Stat Health and I was since within 20 minutes of walking in. My co pay isn't more than a regular doctor. I also don't have a doctor that I'm thrilled with...so there's that.

Re: What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

I credit these with possibly saving my life

I had what I thought was son and off charlie horse

Was stuff and I limped but I didn't think anything

After a week I woke up and my foot was 10 times the size

I still wasn't too concerned but figured let me go quick to urgent care. Maybe a allergic reaction?

He looked at me and said get to the hospital ASAP. You have a blood clot

Well he was right and I had a DVT. God knows what would have happened if I didn't go It could have traveled and I would be dead

Re: What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

Love!

The one that just opened in Massapequa, Go Health, which is part of NSLIJ is great.

Took DS there the other day. In and out in an hour.

They even called the next day to see how he was feeling and emailed me an ammended note that he could go back to school if he shows no symptoms.

Co-pay same as if I took him to the Ped, which is run like a medicaid clinic now and their earliest appt. was 9:30pm!!!!



I've also used ER Dox in Amityville but have heard they are wonky with billing.

Re: What do you think of the Doc-in-a Boxes?

DH and I both went for bronchitis. My gen practice doesn't open til 10 then by the time I get an apt and wait there with sickys it's over 2 hrs. Stat health ops a at 8 and I'm the first in, out by 8:24 for work and I get my abx

Copay is $30 as opposed to $15

Message edited 6/19/2015 5:53:30 PM.