What to do if…you need a doctor, stat

Photo: Ben Goldstein

THE HOUSE CALL
New York House Call Physicians
20 Park Ave at 35th St, suite 1A (646-957-5444, doctorinthefamily.com)
WHEN TO GO Got money, a nonurgent problem and a fear of sunlight? The House Callers will come for nearly anything short of an obvious 911 problem. “Statistically, 80 or 90 percent of ER visitors do not have an emergent medical problem,” says founder Dr. Natan Schleider (pictured).
WAIT TIME A doctor will usually arrive within two to four hours; the clinic accepts walk-ins.
EXPERT OPINION The roster of pros waiting to serve you includes eight or so physicians, a physician’s assistant, a social worker, an optometrist and a podiatrist.
TECH SUPPORT These docs can handle ultrasounds, echocardiograms, X-rays, IV and blood tests in your living room.
FREEBIES You can really become a shut-in with this service: The M.D.’s carry prescription pills (noncontrolled only, so you can’t mug them for oxycodone), including allergy meds and antibiotics.
COST A home visit starts at $600—and that’s before costs for extras (including X-rays and ultrasounds). The company doesn’t take insurance, but will help with reimbursement paperwork if your policy allows for out-of-network doctors.

Photo: Ben Goldstein

THE DRUGSTORE CLINIC
Duane Reade Walk-In Medical Care
1627 Broadway at 50th St; 125 E 86th St between Park and Lexington Aves (888-535-6963, drwalkin.com)
WHEN TO GO In-house doctors at two Manhattan Duane Reades can treat your cold, fever, sore throat, and minor burns and cuts. (A similar CVS service operates in Staten Island.) “Out of maybe 30 patients we see a week, only five or so have to be sent to the ER,” says medical director Dr. Maggie Bertisch (pictured).
WAIT TIME It’s a walk-in system, but the waiting is usually less than an hour. 50th Street: Mon–Sat 8am–8pm; Sun 11am–7pm. UES: Mon–Fri 11am–7pm.
EXPERT OPINION In addition to Bertisch, three other doctors (all trained in family medicine) man the private exam rooms (so no awkward moments in the paper-goods aisle—phew!).
TECH SUPPORT The clinic can do on-the-spot strep, mono, urine, blood and other diagnostic tests, and can treat warts and stitch up lacerations. If you need an X-ray, though, you’re ER-bound.
FREEBIES No free drugs here, but the pharmacy is about three steps away.
COST A basic visit runs about $120, and the docs accept a number of insurance plans.

Photo: Ben Goldstein

THE ER
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia
622 W 168th St at Broadway (212-305-2500, nyp.org)
WHEN TO GO Emergency rooms won’t (and can’t) turn anyone away, says Dr. James Giglio (pictured), director of emergency medicine for NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, where the ER sees 230,000 patients every year (the most in NYC). Legally and otherwise, caution is the watchword—once you show up, they won’t advise you to go without full treatment. So don’t expect the front-desk clerk to tell you whether you really belong there.
WAIT TIME Think hours, not minutes. “It’s the easiest access to health care,” says Giglio, “and there are no free lunches.” You’ll pay in wait time. Ask about fast-track options—clinics housed within the hospital, usually open during the day and early evening, can treat simpler complaints.
EXPERT OPINION The great thing about the ER is that the staff can handle anything. At teaching hospitals, you may be seen by residents still in training, but the care is supervised.
TECH SUPPORT If you need it, they likely have it.
FREEBIES New York law prohibits ER docs from handing out samples or a free course of meds, so you won’t leave with more than your first dose, already inside you.
COST Prices are high, due to the staff, training and services provided, and can start in the hundreds of dollars, though financial help is available and ER visits are likely to be covered by insurance.

Photo: Ben Goldstein

THE INTERNET DOCTOR
Hello Health
105 Berry St at North 8th St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (877-610-0119, hellohealth.com)
WHEN TO GO Got a rash, upset tummy or weird mole? Get your medical advice between Scramble marathons via IM, text, e-mail or video messaging, any time of day. When personal attention is needed, Dr. Jay Parkinson (pictured) and his colleagues arrange house calls (limited to Williamsburgians) or office visits. “[Our practice] is for people who want an accessible doctor,” says Parkinson.
WAIT TIME You have to be a member (see “Cost”) to get the high-tech benefits, but once you’re in, IM and e-mail advice is immediate and appointments usually happen within a day.
EXPERT OPINION Parkinson is one of four doctors, including a women’s health specialist, based out of their cozy new Brooklyn location; more docs are part of their communication network, and a white, shiny outpost (“like the Apple Store”) is opening in the West Village soon.
TECH SUPPORT Docs can perform a handful of tests in the office, but for X-rays they’ll point you to an outside provider.
FREEBIES Hello has 200 generic meds on hand, and they’re yours free—the whole necessary course, not just a starter pack.COST Besides the $35-per-month fee, online appointments run $25–$100, and in-person visits cost $100–$200. The clinic doesn’t take insurance, but if your plan accepts out-of-network doctors you could be reimbursed.

Photo: Imogen Brown

THE MIDNIGHT DOCTOR
Beth Israel Medical Group
202–204 W 23rd St between Seventh and Eighth Aves (212-352-2600, wehealny.org/services/docs)
WHEN TO GO Why not 4am? This clinic—formerly known as DOCS—is open 24 hours, seven days a week, and it takes walk-ins, with one doctor there all night to treat urgent complaints and minor lacerations. “If this picks up and takes off, and I think it will, I wouldn’t be surprised to see people take up this kind of model,” says Dr. John Chuey (pictured) of the round-the-clock practice, which started in October.
WAIT TIME It can range from immediate attention to hours of waiting, depending entirely on your luck. “No one else has our kind of availability,” says Chuey.
EXPERT OPINION Six doctors staff the clinic; one of three lucky nocturnal doctors is on every night with assistants.
TECH SUPPORT Not only can the docs perform stitches, draining and other procedures, they can also deal with chronic care—a rarity for walk-in clinics. For X-rays and other fancy work, though, you’ll be referred out.
FREEBIES Since the clinic is part of Beth Israel hospital, it follows strict rules regarding dispensing meds. No free ride here.
COST Most insurance is accepted, and visits start at $125.

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