How do we get a physical/vaccinations? (dumb question, sorry)

[chaser0]

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I've never had to get a physical outside of the "school nurse's office." And now that I'm out of the world of academia, I'm pretty confused about the process.


Do I just walk into a hospital and tell the receptionist I need a physical? (that doesn't sound right...)

 

[moneytree]

Your primary care doc or a local clinic.

 

[thlaxer]

Go on yelp and search for (family medicine) doctors near you.

 

[deleted103644]

Try ZocDoc if you have a busy schedule.

You can also always go to a Doc in a Box at some department stores.

If you want someone to see you long term who is actually good, usually people go by word of mouth.

If you're going for medical school requirements, just find someone who takes your insurance and doesn't try to bill you for unnecessary routine EKGs...

 

[TopTomato]

See if there are any walk-in clinics near you. Your local hospital should have walk in clinic hours. I would say DO NOT go to the ER for a routine physical, you'll just be wasting the doctors/ER staff's time.

 

[Ellie Arroway]

Do you have health insurance? Ideally you should get established with a primary care provider, who can do the physical, etc but also be the point person for when you need to see a doc in the future. Though this is the US, which means getting a PCP appointment can take a month+ and if you need to get a physical soon for a job there are out-of-pocket urgent care clinics that can probably help.

 

[ShenanigansMD]

I was just at an urgent care clinic where they advertised, "$25 dollar physicals!" Which was cheaper than my $31 co-pay for an ear infection.

 

[deleted103644]

I was just at an urgent care clinic where they advertised, "$25 dollar physicals!" Which was cheaper than my $31 co-pay for an ear infection.

Yeah, they have easy spots at places like Walmart and Walgreens now.

Probably the future of primary care.

There but for the grace of god...

 

[kduck]

Those walk in clinics like the Minute Clinics at CVS may not offer all the titers and tests you need for school, though.
Urgent care places can give you a physical and all your titers. BUT, beware, they can't take insurance for these things. Urgent care facilities are generally only allowed to accept insurance for urgent matters, which physicals for school aren't.
You should find a primary care doctor in your area who you are comfortable with in case you ever need to see someone, though.

 

[deleted103644]

Those walk in clinics like the Minute Clinics at CVS may not offer all the titers and tests you need for school, though.
Urgent care places can give you a physical and all your titers. BUT, beware, they can't take insurance for these things. Urgent care facilities are generally only allowed to accept insurance for urgent matters, which physicals for school aren't.
You should find a primary care doctor in your area who you are comfortable with in case you ever need to see someone, though.

Some schools can do the titers for you through student health.

For some things like TB they may even require you to do it through them.

 

[Josh7]

I was just at an urgent care clinic where they advertised, "$25 dollar physicals!" Which was cheaper than my $31 co-pay for an ear infection.

Yep this is what I do but I'm living under my parents health care

 

[Catalystik]

Vaccinations can often be acquired far more cheaply through a Public health Department clinic if your insurance doesn't cover them well.