Save money on doctor visits by picking the right option for your situation.
A doc in a box is a walk-in clinic, typically used for minor ailments or semi-urgent health needs. These clinics are frequently inside of larger retail stores or in retail strip malls. These are usually open into the early evening and on weekends. Clinics offer a variety of treatments including minor injuries, and many ailments you would go to a primary care physician for, and most offer some basic diagnostic services.
Doc-in-a-box clinics usually have clear upfront pricing, something you won’t see at a regular clinic. The cash prices are a fraction of what most regular clinics charge. CVS Minute Clinic has a list of in-house lab tests they can run and the prices are 1/10th of what local clinics in the area charge for the same test.
If you have no insurance or insurance with high deductibles or less than great coverage, paying cash at a walk-in clinic may end up being the cheaper option. Many regular clinics will refuse to see patients without insurance or request a high cash pre-payment before they will see you. Doc-in-a-box clinics sidestep all of that and operate on more of a retail service style system.
Price Comparisons
At a doc in a box for an office call and a strep test, you are looking at about $184.00. At a local clinic, the same services are about $518.00 cash price. If you use your insurance and your deductible kicks in, you will be responsible for the negotiated price your insurance has with that provider. This sometimes results in being charged hundreds of dollars for minor lab work, well over the stated cash price so that $518 visit could be even more.
Limited Services Can Be In Your Favor
A stand-alone walk-in clinic that isn’t affiliated with any larger health system, won’t have the incentive to upsell you on additional services or diagnostics you may not really need. Some primary care offices that are affiliated with larger health systems use the primary care point of contact as a sales opportunity to upsell people on unnecessary and sometimes expensive diagnostics, services, or routine screenings. You can avoid the high-pressure sales pitch by taking that minor ailment to a walk-in clinic.
No Surprises
If you are paying up front, there is no opportunity for a huge surprise bill. This may be the biggest perk of using a walk-in clinic.
Convenience
Being able to have someone look at that ear that has been bothering you or to get a one-time refill for that medication you need while grabbing some groceries can be a major time saver. Since many walk-in clinics are in retail businesses that also have a pharmacy, you can deal with the medical need and pick up any needed medicine in one stop.
Most walk-in clinics are smaller than the typical primary care clinic, this means smaller crowds or no crowd. If you have ever spent over an hour sitting in a large crowded waiting room full of sick people, not having to deal with this is a major perk.