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Old 05-02-2013, 02:28 PM
 
Location: Fairfax, VA
30 posts, read 119,741 times
Reputation: 19

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So I got violently ill at 1:00 AM a couple weeks ago, and unable to find any normal urgent care centers, we ended up going to an INOVA facility in Springfield. I thought it would come up as urgent care since it was not part of a full-fledged hospital. Unfortunately, it was reported and charged as an ER visit, and we now have a (relatively) huge medical bill sitting on us.

I literally could not find a single urgent care center, at least in the Springfield/Annandale area, that was open 24 hours. Are there any, or are you stuck going to a real ER if you get sick between 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM?
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Old 05-02-2013, 02:42 PM
 
324 posts, read 837,279 times
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I don't know if there is one near you but I've used Patient First. I don't remember how it was billed to my insurance but I'm pretty sure it didn't come up as ER because I would remember the $250 premium an ER visit costs me!
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Old 05-02-2013, 03:34 PM
 
Location: Fairfax, VA
30 posts, read 119,741 times
Reputation: 19
Their site states that they are only open until 10 PM. Do they have 24-hour locations?
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Old 05-02-2013, 04:47 PM
 
324 posts, read 837,279 times
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Sorry, I didn't realize they weren't 24 hours. I remember I visited off hours but it must have been before 10pm. For 24 hour care, INOVA might be the only option. Hopefully someone else will chime in and have another suggestion.
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Old 05-02-2013, 05:28 PM
 
2,369 posts, read 2,912,524 times
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i know there is inova one near george mason in fairfax. i think if you google inova urgent care you could find one close to you.
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Old 05-03-2013, 09:27 PM
 
143 posts, read 336,024 times
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This is on Carlin Springs in Arlington, and it is open 24 hrs. Doesn't have great reviews on sites I checked, but it would probably do in a pinch...

Virginia Hospital Center Urgent Care : Virginia Hospital Center
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Old 05-04-2013, 04:30 AM
 
12,905 posts, read 15,658,187 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BarqCider View Post
i know there is inova one near george mason in fairfax. i think if you google inova urgent care you could find one close to you.
I think if you go there, you get the "emergency room" charge. Not sure though. My husband went there for some stitches and he got charged like it was an emergency room.

You've got to be really careful with that stuff. In Woodbridge, they recently opened a new Sentara 24 hour medical center. Touted as an urgent care. The place is really nice and is a small extension of Potomac Hospital. My son went there a few days after he hurt his finger. He got billed for an ER visit (he did have a broken finger). I wasn't complaining, he needed to go and they had everyone there that could diagnose a broken finger. Some urgent cares that are really "docs in a box" do not have everything and they send you out.

Anyway, my feelings are such that if you are truly sick enough to need care in the middle of the night or late at night, maybe you really do need an ER? I mean, if it can't wait till morning then an ER, with all its inherent charges, may be the right choice.

Last edited by ChristineVA; 05-04-2013 at 04:48 AM..
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Old 05-04-2013, 04:46 AM
 
Location: Everywhere and Nowhere
14,129 posts, read 31,251,117 times
Reputation: 6920
One more example of how the biggest problem with our health care system is the hospitals. The executives running those "not for profits" are making millions.
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Old 05-04-2013, 07:21 PM
 
979 posts, read 1,775,839 times
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I've had this issue, too. I needed to take my son to an urgent care (wasn't waiting for the pediatrician's office to open, then hope for an appointment, etc.). It didn't seem severe enough to go to an emergency room. It was early morning, but I couldn't find anything that opened before 8am. We did end up at our local Patient First at 8am, but I would have preferred to have been able to go somewhere when I first noticed the issue at 6am. I Googled like crazy and was pretty shocked I couldn't find anything.
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Old 05-04-2013, 07:56 PM
 
Location: Everywhere and Nowhere
14,129 posts, read 31,251,117 times
Reputation: 6920
Quote:
Originally Posted by jillybean720 View Post
I've had this issue, too. I needed to take my son to an urgent care (wasn't waiting for the pediatrician's office to open, then hope for an appointment, etc.). It didn't seem severe enough to go to an emergency room. It was early morning, but I couldn't find anything that opened before 8am. We did end up at our local Patient First at 8am, but I would have preferred to have been able to go somewhere when I first noticed the issue at 6am. I Googled like crazy and was pretty shocked I couldn't find anything.
You think hospitals are going to allow anyone to move in on one of their most profitable lines of business? Everything's designed to get you into that emergency room. Try calling your doctor in the middle of the night with some sudden concern. The answer you'll likely get is "call 911".
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