The pain and poor mobility caused by bone and joint injuries and conditions can impact your life quickly. Yet, you worry about the affordability of seeing an orthopedic specialist. Here’s how to find exceptional and affordable orthopedic services which you and your family can access easily and afford, too, in Northwest Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
Use the ER Only for Life-threatening Situations
Your hospital emergency is the place to go when you are in a serious car accident, experience a stroke or heart attack or have persistent symptoms, such as loss of consciousness or uncontrolled bleeding. However, the ER is NOT the place to go for less urgent matters, such as the flu, or a mild to moderate orthopedic concern, such as an ankle sprain.
That’s right: your local orthopedic walk-in clinic is best equipped to handle those muscle, bone, and joint injuries and to do so more affordably than the average emergency room. The National Institute of Health reports that the median cost for a hospital emergency room visit is about $1200, which can be a substantial financial burden to families with high health insurance copays or no insurance.
Use an Orthopedic Clinic Which Has a Wide Range of Services
An orthopedic clinic should be fully staffed with an orthopedic specialist and other healthcare providers who can quickly and accurately triage injuries and conditions, get diagnostic imaging through onsite X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans, and deliver pain management and stabilization care. That includes taping, bandaging, durable medical equipment, suturing, and more.
With this kind of quick but comprehensive care available on a walk-in, no-appointment basis, your orthopedic clinic saves you multiple trips to other providers in other, less convenient locations. You get the care you need when you need it and do not have to miss time (and wages) from work or other important obligations.
Use an Orthopedic Clinic’s Virtual Visits
Bone and joint problems can occur even when the walk-in clinic is closed. So, use an orthopedic clinic that offers virtual visits. While these are not billable to your health insurance, their costs typically are low. Plus, you get peace of mind by discussing your condition via phone, laptop, or tablet in the security and comfort of your home or office.
Check With Your Health Insurance Provider
Whether you need walk-in services or more extensive care at an orthopedic clinic, make sure the healthcare provider is in network with your insurance. Call your carrier or check online. Plus, verify the same with the orthopedic clinic’s insurance specialist. Knowing your fees ahead of time can help you select the right orthopedic specialist for your care and your wallet, too.
The Finest Orthopedic Care in Northwest Tennessee and Southwest Virginia
At Watauga Orthopaedics, our highly qualified orthopedic specialists and their support team offer all the bone and joint care you and your family need. With offices in the Tri-Cities area, we have the most innovative treatments for your problems. Using state-of-the-art equipment, our team of board-certified orthopedic surgeons provides the most comprehensive care tailored to your needs. We also offer readily available urgent care services.
If you want to learn more about our services, call us today at (423) 282-9011. To arrange a consultation, fill out our convenient online request form.
