Health insurance question - Urgent care for sore throat?

[Anonymous]

We have the Federal Aetna plan and I have a sore throat (white spots) that I think we should deal with NOW since I have a newborn at home.

My question is, will going to an urgent care facility be covered? It's not technically an emergency but is this a reason to go to urgent care? Plus tomorrow I am going out of town for a week long trip. I know they would cover urgent care for out-of-area service but I'm worried they won't cover it since I'm still in the DC area.

I just don't want a huge bill.

[Anonymous]

Call Aetna and ask them.

[Anonymous]

They are only open Monday-Friday.

[Anonymous]

Go to a cvs. Not an emergency charge. Just a copay

[Anonymous]

CVS minute clinic? Do you happen to know if they do throat cultures? I know calling won't help.. have called there before and THEY DO NOT ANSWER THEIR PHONES.

[Anonymous]

Call minute clinic and ask if they take your insurance. Go there. Or just go online and look up urgent care on Aetna's participating providers list.

[Anonymous]

Should have added that Minute Clinc or Take Care Clinic at Walgreens do throat cultures. Also you can go to either of their websites and see which insurance they accept.

[Anonymous]

There are tons of urgent care facilities and most accept a wide variety of insurance. I've found that with the Urgent Care, no one cares why you go, so long as it isn't for a physical. The co-pay is slightly higher than a regular office visit, but nothing major. I wouldn't wait.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I feel like Aetna would be more inclined to cover services at a MinuteClinic over an Urgent care. Sore throat just doesn't sound urgent but seeing white spots = makes me think strep = not okay for a baby.

I'm always nervous with insurance! Thanks all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are tons of urgent care facilities and most accept a wide variety of insurance. I've found that with the Urgent Care, no one cares why you go, so long as it isn't for a physical. The co-pay is slightly higher than a regular office visit, but nothing major. I wouldn't wait.

Ok that's good to know.

And yes I've found all urgent cares/minute clinics on Aetna's website so I know where to go.

[Anonymous]

I've been to two different urgent care clinics where I or my kids have gotten a strep culture, and my insurance (BCBS Federal) was accepted there but instead of my regular $25 copay, the charge for urgent care was $50. Not a huge bill, but more than if I'd seen my regular doctor on a weekday.