Apr 13, 2009 5:07 pm US/Central
Health Clinics Offer Fast, Cheap Care
PITTSBURGH (CBS) ―
It's happened to all of us. You're hit with something like a sore throat on the weekend or after work, and the doctor's office is closed.
These days, help could be as close as your nearest shopping center, CBS station KDKA-TV reported. More and more health clinics are located in drugstores, supermarkets, and stores such as Walmart.
It turns out that not all clinics have doctors. Some have licensed health professionals who have the training to perform tests and prescribe medications.
For Americans not covered by insurance, a visit usually runs about $55 to $75, KDKA-TV reports. And if you do have insurance, most clinics accept it.
The key is to go to clinics for minor, one-time kinds of problems, such as bladder or ear infections, rashes, or pinkeye.
If you have a true emergency, such as chest pain or a severe injury, patients need to go to a hospital emergency room.
The American Academy of Pediatrics also opposes retail-based clinics for infants, children, and adolescents. But for adults, the occasional visit to a store clinic can be exactly what the doctor ordered.
Patients should bring a list of any medications or supplements they are taking.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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