Testing - Urgent Care

[Zaleigha]

I've been experiencing Celiac symptoms for about two and half years now (bloating, abdominal pain, constipation/diarrhea, headaches, horrible brain fog, speech problems, fatigue, irritability, low blood sugar symptoms, etc.). I've been to my school's infirmary twice now, and they have diagnosed with IBS and psoriasis.

I had accepted my fate of having "digestive troubles," but it has increasingly gotten worse over time. On Friday, I had such bad stomach pain I had thought that I might have appendicitis.

Now, I'm in between GP's, but I'm tired of feeling, well, so sick and tired all the time, and my friends and family don't deserve my poor attitude. I don't want to cut out gluten right now - I want to get tested first.

So, here is my question. I have insurance - can I just go to a local Urgent Care and get the blood panel done? Or, do I have to get a doctor's "note" to get tested?

Thanks!

[cyclinglady]

Depends on your insurance. Can a friend or family help you through the diagnostic process? It hard to handle this on your own. Your local urgent care should be able to order the tests, but again, it depends on your insurance.

[kareng]

Depends on your insurance and how " urgent" the urgent care center is. Some of them around here have the walk up urgent stuff but also see patients like a regular doctor would. Actually, they are some people's regular doctor. If that makes sense? They do yearly exams, follow high blood pressure, etc. I know a couple of Family practice MDs that work for these because they have regular hours and don't have to handle the " business" side of the practice. But they see all their regular patients and some walk- ins.

[Fenrir]

The best thing would be to find a good family dr. to start with. An urgent care Dr. is probably less likely to dig into your situation, though you might be able to convince them to order the tests. However, a family Dr. (or internist/GP) will likely be more likely to chase down the problem through a good history, physical, and appropriate testing based on your symptoms.

 

As for insurance, really depends on your insurance and where you go to seek medical treatment. IME in medical coding and billing, most insurances will cover these tests at an in network facility. This is not a sure thing though.