February 22, 2025

Healthcare Services and Organizations

John Dang M.D.

So you have healthcare insurance now. How and where to get healthcare services? Here are some basic settings for healthcare service:

For office visits to see doctors and other healthcare providers and for immunizations and simple procedures.

Similar to medical offices, open for longer hours and on weekends, with or without appointment. No overnight hours. There will likely be a wait, as you are not seen on a first come first serve basis, but on urgency of needs. More serious conditions cannot be treated at urgent care centers; they will turn you away anyways.

Emergency departments (ED's) are open 24/7, for very sick patients. ED’s are always attached to a hospital. The vast majority of patients who end up in a hospital are admitted from the ED. Other patients who end up in the hospital typically are for delivering babies or for elective surgeries. Of all the locations mentioned on this list, these are the only locations where patient can stay overnight (and hence, the extraordinary costs)

For urine or blood tests.

Imaging centers are responsible for Xray, MRI, CT, PET, Ultrasounds.

Alternative sites for simple surgical procedures (such as colonoscopies, cosmetic procedures, cataract surgery). You cannot stay overnight in a facility such as this.

For medications. These fall into the categories of over-the-counter and prescription. Over-the-counter meds can be purchased without order from doctor; prescription medications must have an order from a doctor, which can essentially be sent by any doctor in any healthcare organization, typically using a computer instead of written prescription.

Dialysis centers, infusion centers, sleep clinics, etc.