Preventative Care Services That Are Often More Affordable At A Medical Clinic

Posted on: 9 April 2021

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In the United States, there are so many different ways to obtain medical care, and the cost is often a factor when choosing your approach. The standard approach is usually to see a primary care physician who contracts with your insurance company. But if you do not have insurance, or if you have a really high-deductible plan, this approach may not be the most affordable. You may instead want to seek some of your care at a medical clinic, where prices tend to be lower. Here are some of the major preventative care services that are typically offered, at affordable prices, by medical clinics.

Vaccines

Even though you probably had most of the vaccinations you needed as a child, there are a few vaccines recommended for adults. This includes the annual flu vaccine and tetanus boosters. If you had chicken pox as a child, then you should have a shingles vaccine. Most medical clinics offer these vaccines and will administer them for a relatively low cost. Some vaccinate walk-ins, and others require an appointment, so call the specific clinic you plan to visit to see what their approach is.

STD Screening

STD screening is really important for sexually active individuals. Some STDs, like chlamydia, may not always cause obvious symptoms, so it is possible you could have an infection and spread it to someone else without realizing it. Many medical clinics offer screening for the most common STDs, including HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. Even if you don't have any symptoms, it is a good idea to be screened once a year, especially if you have had multiple partners.

Mental Health Screening

Mental health is becoming increasingly recognized as important. Problems like depression and anxiety can go on for years before patients figure out what is wrong. However, many medical clinics are beginning to screen patients for mental health problems. They'll ask you some questions and perhaps run a few simple tests. If they believe that you are suffering from a mental health condition, they can prescribe medications or refer you to a therapist as needed. It's better to be screened for mental health conditions early on than to wait for things to get really serious or out of control.

Low-cost medical clinics offer more services than you might realize. If you are on a tight budget, this can be a great way to get your vaccines, mental health screening, and STD screening.