Health Insurance In Tennessee Covers Walk-in Clinics

With the shortage of primary care physicians expected to become an ongoing problem, walk-in retail clinics offer a needed alternative. Convenient and quick health care at these clinics, shorter waiting times and lower prices than at doctors' offices are the main attractions.

Most Tennessee health insurance plans pay for services at retail clinics just like health plans cover other health care, but there are exceptions. Likewise, many walk-in clinics accept most Tennessee insurance plans.

Before you seek care at your local clinic, talk to your insurer about retail clinics and let them know you plan to take advantage of a nearby one. Specifically ask what's covered under your health plan and what your out-of-pocket costs could be for walk-in clinics. Some Tennessee health insurance plans have more restrictions than others. If you don't follow your HMO's rules, you could have higher out-of-pocket expenses.

With PPO plans, you can also benefit from significant discounts when you see in-network providers. That's true even before you meet the deductible. While prices at walk-in clinics are typically attractive, the discounts for in-network PPO providers may rival what it costs you to get the same services at a retail clinic. That's an important consideration while you're paying for most of your health care until you meet your Tennessee insurance plan's deductible.

How Do Walk-in Medical Clinics Compare To Doctor Care?

There is some concern about the effectiveness and safety of clinics that are mainly staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants without doctor supervision. This type of health care is available at CVS, Kroger, Minute Clinics, Walgreens and certain other retail clinics. Some clinics do have a doctor available on site.

For example, one such clinic is run by a pharmacist and his wife, who checks patients in and documents their current medications and medical history. The onsite doctor actually diagnoses health problems.

Walk-in retail clinics are appropriate to treat common illnesses and injuries, give vaccinations and monitor chronic health problems, but think twice about getting a physical there. You may only see a doctor once a year so you don't want any early warning signs to be overlooked.

Health care reform requires new Tennessee health insurance plans to cover wellness screenings with no co-insurance, co-pay or deductible. Why not get this free care that could catch early warning signs from the most experienced professionals?

What Problems Are Most Appropriate To Treat At Walk-in Clinics?

Clinic practitioners can diagnose and treat common infections like bladder and ear, nose and throat infections, pink eye and strep throat. Such conditions are usually treated with antibiotics, so if you have children, you'll want to add prescription coverage to your checklist when shopping for health insurance in Tennessee. Clinics are also convenient places to get flu shots and vaccinations for hepatitis, pertussis and pneumonia.

You can also get quick treatment for minor abrasions, sprains, strains and skin problems like poison ivy or ringworm. In addition, you can get routine lab work with prompt results for asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Is Walk-in Clinic Care Appropriate For Children?

Clinics staffed solely by nurse practitioners and physician assistants may be more appropriate for adults because it's advisable to keep in touch with your child's pediatrician and maintain a complete medical history. It can be important to track how many times, how often and which antibiotics your child has taken, for example.

The clinics can be a better alternative than emergency rooms to get immediate help when doctor's offices are closed, though. It can be hard to be seen at an emergency room on a Saturday night. If you just need antibiotics when your doctor's office is closed for something common like an ear infection, you can get temporary help from a walk-in clinic right away and see your pediatrician on Monday morning.