the Cost of Urgent Care Clinics

I paid $15 for an urgent care appointment that I made because of uncontrollable vomiting (which I had been seen for in the emergency department the previous week).

I was seen, and then referred to the infusion lab to get a saline IV. Because the doctor took so long to refer me, the infusion lab was closed, and they referred me to the ER. The ER informed me that I would have to pay $100 even though the urgent care department had said I wouldn't, so I went home because I was feeling better.

The doctor didn't want to listen to me and just kept telling me to go to the infusion clinic. He wouldn't listen to the history (I had been to the ER twice in the week preceding this visit).

Finally, he stepped out "for a moment" and returned 45 minutes later, when he told me to go to the infusion clinic. Sadly, because he had taken so long, the infusion clinic was closed. Then he told me to go to the ER and that I would not be charged for it.

I went to the ER and they tried to charge me $100, so I had to explain the whole thing again (while trying not to be sick, mind you). Finally, I just checked myself out because I was feeling better and it was just getting too difficult.

There seemed to be a lot of infighting. The ER was really upset about what the doctor had said, and the doctor was really upset abou the ER. Nobody was working together.

Be clear on what you have to pay for! Also, take advantage of member services, or member liaison or whatever they call it in your insurance plan. They can help.