Urgent Care or Walk-in Clinic for young children?

[wkathym.livejournal.com]

A family we know from France is staying in Inman Square for 2 months (until March). They have a 5-month old and 5-year old. Any good walk-in clinics in this area that treat young children and are easily accessed by public transportation? I know there are a few in East Boston, but lots of transfers needed. Drove the 5-year old yesterday to Boston Children's Hospital ER for an ear infection, and my friend was charged $500. (Their French Health insurance might reimburse them for part.) And parking was insane.

I had called Mt Auburn Hospital Walk-in Clinic and they don't take anyone under 14. Called MGH Urgent Care clinic in Boston and they don't take anyone under 18. (BTW, I live in Davis Sq. so hope my inquire about my Inman Square friends is OK.).

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

[rufinia.livejournal.com]

For minor stuff, like ear infections, sinus infections, and stuff like that, the Minute Clinic in the Porter Square CVS is pretty good. There's a limited amount of things they can treat, but it's a decent first stop.

[wkathym.livejournal.com]

I had heard of CVS doing this. Do you know if they have someone like a nurse practicioner on duty?

[rufinia.livejournal.com]

Yes, at the Minute Clinics, they have NPs who can diagnose and treat minor stuff and make some prescriptions.

Not all CVSs have them- the Davis square one does, but Porter Square does, and so does Medford Square. The website has a full list.

[ron_newman]

The Davis Square CVS does not have a Minute Clinic.

[rufinia.livejournal.com]

That's what I meant to say.

[marphod.livejournal.com]

I assume you mean the CVS on the East Side of Medford Square; the one on the West Side is probably too small.

[sd210.livejournal.com]

The Harvard Vanguard system has a bunch of Urgent Care centers, one of which is in Davis Square. I have no idea if they take walk in patients or people who are not part of their practice, but overall it is helpful because they are open on weekends. But if they don't have US insurance, I would also recommend the Minute Clinic at Porter Square. It's in the back, near the pharmacy. I went there a few years ago for a sinus infection and it was quick and easy to get in and get medication. I think it was about $60 for the visit (though this was a few years ago). It's great for when you can't get in with your regular doctor, etc.

[wkathym.livejournal.com]

They don't take walk-ins that are not part of their practice.

[koloratur.livejournal.com]

They do not take patients who are not already a part of the practice - they refer to the urgent care at Mt. Auburn Hospital. The Minute Clinic is really probably the best bet.

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

I endorse the minute clinic idea.

When a friend of mine with a young child was visiting from abroad and her kid got sick, I was able to get my own kid's pediatrician to see her, and they were cool about the international insurance, so if you have your own pediatrician or family practitioner, you could ask them too.

[wkathym.livejournal.com]

Thank you for all your comments. I will tell her about the Minute Clinics -- I live in Davis, and it should be easy for her to get from Inman to Porter. And yes, calling my family practicioner is also a great idea. Funny - I had just never noticed those minute clinics, even though I've been to both CVS's.

[wkathym.livejournal.com]

I just realized that I only have a primary care physician (an internist), not a family practicioner. I don't have kids so I don't know a pediatrician. Also, I go to Belmont Medical Center, and they don't seem to have a pediatrician in their practice.

[wkathym.livejournal.com]

I just noticed that the Minute Clinic only has services for people 24 months or older. So, their 5-month old baby girl is not covered, but their 5-year old is. Back to the drawing board. I guess the emergency room may be the only alternative for her.

[avecvu.livejournal.com]

MGH has an international patient center. Their number is 617-726-2787. They may be able to refer you to somebody that can help.

[wkathym.livejournal.com]

Childrens's Hospital also has an international patient center, with whom I spoke. They are mainly geared, I think, for patients coming here from abroad for surgeries. They could not help me. If Children's Hospital can't find me any information regarding an urgent care clinic for an infant, I don't know who can!

[chantalzola.livejournal.com]

Have you tried the walk-in clinic at the ER at Tufts in Boston? I think it's on Washington street.

eta: Just called them. No walk-in clinic (not sure why i thought there was one there, sorry). 800 Washington St., Pediatric ER. They would be billed as an ER visit. There are financial advisors there. The woman on the phone suggested maybe calling them about somewhere else to go so they wouldn't have to pay for an ER visit. Phone number is 617-636-5000.

[wkathym.livejournal.com]

Thank you for calling! I was going to but didn't have time earlier. I've called MGH and Cambridge Health Alliance and neither could help me. The people I talk to only seem to know about their own clinics.

[chantalzola.livejournal.com]

No problem! I don't have any kids or know anything about them myself, otherwise I'd do more/would have asked more kid specific questions.

[lldald.livejournal.com]

Have they tried the French Consulate for guidance? Gee, when we lived in France we walked into the local Dr. with our 1 year old who was examined and then hospitalized and provided world-class care. Paid a small fee when we were discharged. Great system we have here.

[wkathym.livejournal.com]

Great idea. I will send the link to them now.

[wkathym.livejournal.com]

I've received some great advice. Thank you all. I've passed the Minute Clinic info along to my French friend, and I think that's all set for now. Let's hope her infant daughter stays healthy. I may just call my internist and ask her for advice.

By the way, checked out the Minute Clinic at Porter an hour or so ago, and it was crazy busy with people waiting for flu shots. Well, let me clarify. There was a note on the Minute Clinic door stating they were out of flu vaccine, but the pharmacy was now giving shots. Glad I got mine a while ago!

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

I'm a little late on this, but did you/they try Cambridge Hospital? It's very close to Inman Square and they take pediatric patients in the ER, though I don't know about the insurance/payment question.

[wkathym.livejournal.com]

Yes, that would be a convenient option for a serious emergency for my friend's infant daughter. But, for something not serious, a clinic situation is much preferable than the extreme high costs of an ER. (However, it's possible that CH does not charge as much for ER care as Children's hospital.) As I had mentioned at the beginning of my post, $500 was outrageously expensive for the 5-year old's infection. Had I known about the Minute Clinic, would have taken her there.

[siderea]

Wow, I'm sorry not to see this earlier. You want the Cambridge Health Alliance, which despite their name includes institutions all over Somerville and other towns, including Somerville Hospital. They have a clinic, Cambridge Family Health North, at 2076 Massachusetts Ave just north of Porter Square, in the Henderson Carriage Building (corner of MassAve and Russell), which, like the name suggests, includes pediatric care and they do do (or at least, have done) urgent care.

If that clinic isn't convenient, they have others.

[wkathym.livejournal.com]

I had called CHA. Yes, it did sound promising to begin with. But, apparently, the clinic only takes patients already in their network. My friend would have to wait a over a month to make her first appointment in order to get into the network. By that time she will nearly be at the end of their stay. Essentially, at this point, an emergency room is the only thing available for their infant daughter (if she needs one while she is here). The Minute Clinic will be a convenient option for my friend and her husband, and the 5-year old.

[faerichilde.livejournal.com]

It's a little far afield, but the Wilmington Family Medical Center has a walk in urgent care clinic and they definitely see kids.