Budget Travel - Seeing a doctor while travelling too expensive in US. Options?

Seeing a doctor while travelling too expensive in US. Options?

I am in the United States (Miami beach, Florida). I need to see a doctor about a strange, occasional itch that's developed on my lower body. It's not contagious, nor does it display any physical signs (redness, scarring). I have tried all sorts of moisteruizers, itch relief, and anti-bacterial creams, but the itching continues. I think it's really dry skin, but need a doctor's prescription and advice.

I don't have insurance, and the clinics quote 60-100dollar appointment fees to just SPEAK to a doctor. The lineups are long, and the fees, expensive.

What can I do? In Canada, Health Care is free, but here, it's big business, and I feel very small, and sick. What are my options for seeing a doctor about my itch that are within budget?

Thx

I have Canadian, Australian and Japanese friends who have been in similar situations in the US, and all have elected to fly home and see a doctor there. You really aren't likely to find anything cheaper than the clinic rates you just quoted, unless you're enrolled in a health care plan of some kind.

I'm going to concur with Joe - you're probably best off heading home to Canada and seeing a doctor there. Of course, that's probably more expensive than actually being treated in the US, as well...

Are you a student, or just a budget traveller? If you're a student, especially on exchange, there should be a student clinic at your school.

Since you're Canadian, and you have national health care, you MAY be able to claim an international health benefit, but you'll need to call your provincial health authority (good luck!) and get it approved.

PS: If you're travelling in another country for an extended period of time, you should always have travel medical insurance, like http://www.medexassist.com/ .

PS: If you're travelling in another country for an extended period of time, you should always have travel medical insurance, like http://www.medexassist.com/ .
This is not of much help to the the OP but I concur with Patchmonkey.

Travel health insurance may seem like an unnecessary additional cost when planning a trip but if you're far from home and ill, it will suddenly seem like a good idea. Don't buy from overpriced travel agents, go online and if you travel frequently an annual policy with repatriation will cost you peanuts compared with paying out to high price US doctors.

As a Brit I have ever understood why an advanced country like the US tolerates a health care system which can bankrupt its citizens

Can you try a chemist / pharmacy / dispensary / drugstore or whatever they are called in Miami? - even the pharmacy department of a supermarket or department store.
It's easy to forget the importance of travel insurance, particularly if you are used to a fairly benevolent health service ( rare ^ for the NHS!) where you live. But even with travel insurance, it is often said that for the US, the best medical insurance is your return ticket!

Can you try a chemist / pharmacy / dispensary / drugstore or whatever they are called in Miami? - even the pharmacy department of a supermarket or department store.


Some CVS stores have a miniclinic in them. The website says the cost for most skin conditions is $49. It's not a lot cheaper, but it is somewhat less, and it's drop-in during their open hours. I don't think they can do "major" stuff like heart attacks, it's for smaller everyday type problems. There is one located in Miami Beach, FL in a CVS in "The Crossings".
http://www.minuteclinic.com/en/USA/FL/Miami/The-Crossings/Treatment-and-Cost.aspx


Hope this helps! :)

"Medical tourism" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_tourism) is growing rapidly among Europeans and Americans. Many people go to places like Thailand, Singapore, India, the Philippines, Brazil, Argentina and even Cuba for quality medical care at a fraction of the cost in Europe or America. Considering the additional travel costs, many of these trips are usually for major, expensive medical needs, although many travelers combine less serious medical needs with a vacation to these destinations. (I know many people who coincide their dental visits with a couple of weeks stay at Thai beaches.) But if you're on a budget and suffering from a minor (albeit annoying) skin condition, you may just have to bite the bullet and pay your local doctors' fees.

I found this link of supposed FREE clinics. It mentions two specific clinics in the little haiti area of greater miamia. Does this mean no cost?
http://www.vidaamericana.com/miami_guide/miamihealth.html#clinics

And if that doesn't work, Can i pay the fee, get a recipet, and mail it to my mother in vancouver, and have her reimburse it via Health Canada? She is a RN.

As I said, you should probably contact Health Canada and see if they'll cover the doctor's visit. Explain that you've developed a strange condition and you can't return home, and they MAY cover it. Don't go see the doctor first, as you may end up paying out of pocket and never getting the money back, UNLESS IT BECOMES AN EMERGENCY.

Rampo: It's a huge business. I know some people who recently went to Thailand for...well, drastic changes. 8-)

I could see the problem if you had an unexpected need for hospitalization and no insurance but come on, a $60-$100 doctors appointment is not going to break you.

I've been watching this thread and let it run free so far, but let's stay OT. We are not here to discuss merits of various health care systems, even though I've got some pretty strong opinions on the subject (and I'm keeping to myself).

For one thing, there's a Canadian consulate in Miami, so if you want to know about being reimbursed, then drop a dime, and see if they can help. I doubt your momma in CDN will know the answer :rolleyes:

The "free" clinic will probably be for those who cannot afford health insurance, and usually means waiting a LOOOOONG time to be seen ....

EmailKid,
mostly in Mod Mode

In our neck of the woods, the CVS pharmacies occasionally have what they call a Minute Clinic. Essentially a drop in clinic where you don't have to pay outrageous Emergency Room rates but I have gotten great care when it didn't merit or couldn't wait for a regular doctor appointment but didn't want to sit in a trauma-laden ER. Reasonable prices too. Great nurse practitioners and for most things they're all you need.

I could see the problem if you had an unexpected need for hospitalization and no insurance but come on, a $60-$100 doctors appointment is not going to break you.Depends on your financial situation. When I was in college, you could get an 'emergency student loan' from the cashier's office--anything up to $25 as long as you had no outstanding loans. Sure, there were a few times I got one to have beer money, but there were other times when $25 was the difference between having food for a few days or not...so yeah, $60-$100 could really be a big deal for some people.

For PersianPower: MinuteClinic's website is http://www.minuteclinic.com/en/USA/

They do have several locations in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area, so this might be your best bet. Their website lists a $49 dollar charge for most skin conditions, which is a bit cheaper than $60-$100, so it may be better for you.

Whatever it is, I hope you get it looked at and taken care of soon.

Keep healthy, folks!

Until you see a doctor - did you try-

A cortisone cream? Helps most minor skin conditions.

A Lortimin cream - controls both fungus and yeast infections.

Benedryl cream or liquid. Controls allergic reactions.

If they don't promptly help, see a doctor.

Depending how old you are, there might be free clinics near Miami. Some clinics serve low income or young adults who can't afford medical coverage. You should call Community Health Services in Miami.
Good luck!

OK,

we have taken this thread as far as it's going to go and now it is starting to get even more off topic. I though that it was just going to pass into oblivion, but we keep getting some stragglers still posting to it, so at the suggestion from my fellow mods we are closing this thread.

Thanks for understanding !

EmailKid
Budget Travel Moderator