Exploring the Convenience of the Miami Walgreens Healthcare Clinic

On the flight home from Rome a few weeks ago, Angeline and I got hit with the most horrible sinus pressure of our lives. I really thought my eardrums were going to burst, and Angeline was in tears. We couldn’t get out of bed for three days after coming home. Within the week, Angeline had developed strep throat and we both had a horrible, hacking cough. I ended up in the emergency room with Angeline because she developed a horrible rash after being on the antibiotics for the strep. I was left with this lingering cough, so I went to my neighborhood Miami Walgreens Healthcare Clinic to see if it was anything serious.

After everything Angeline went through, I knew that I couldn’t mess around with that cough!

Now, I had heard that we were getting a Miami Walgreens Healthcare Clinic because well, I shop at Walgreens on a weekly basis, and my sister actually works in the photo lab at a Walgreens that was supposed to get a clinic. Her Walgreens actually went through a complete remodel and is now one of the Miami stores that has the Eat Well, Live Well makeovers.

I was hoping to have her pull some strings and make an appointment for me while I was driving over, but she was on vacation. ha ha!

When I arrived, I found that there were only two people already signed in, so I knew I wouldn’t have to wait very long.

I checked out the store after I signed in and got to see the new Eat Well, Live Well aisles with the fresh fruits and food. The store is so bright, spacious and cheery now!

As someone without insurance – or even a regular doctor (my doctor retired a few years ago and I’ve just never found a new one), I really appreciate the convenience of having a Walgreens Healthcare Clinic nearby.

How exactly does the Walgreens Healthcare Clinic work?

It’s simple, really! You can either call ahead and make an appointment, or just show up and sign in to be seen. I guess it’s kind of like a doctor’s office, you can make an appointment or be a walk-in.

The difference is, at least in my case with my Miami Walgreens Healthcare Clinic, is that there aren’t as many people there on a regular basis because it’s not a regular healthcare provider with patients that go there for everything. I arrived and there were only two people ahead of me, so my estimated wait time was 20-25 minutes.

You can also check the Walgreens website to see if there is a long wait time, which isn’t the case with doctor’s offices and emergency rooms.

Who can use the Walgreens Healthcare Clinic? And for what?

Anyone can visit the Walgreens Healthcare Clinic! You can use it for routine immunizations, school and sports physicals, for help with chronic conditions like headaches, fatigue and Diabetes, or for regular illnesses and injuries related to accidents.

I went to have my cough checked out, but there were also people there getting school physicals and immunizations done.

There are also lots of brochures about health care and preventative health care at the sign in desk.

The photo was a little fuzzy because my iPhone was interfering with the computer monitor’s resolution, but you can kind of see the lists of things that you can do at the Walgreens Healthcare Clinic.

I was surprised by just how much they are able to treat!

Some of the Walgreens Healthcare Clinic pamphlets even had coupons for medicines and baby supplies!

Do you need insurance to visit the Walgreens Healthcare Clinic?

Unfortunately, Chris and I are currently without health insurance. Whenever I get sick, I am always terrified of having to go to the doctor because doctor’s office visits are so pricey! Fortunately, the Walgreens Healthcare Clinic accepts insurance, as well as Medicare and Medicare, but they also accept people without insurance.

The prices for uninsured patients are actually really reasonable, at least in my opinion. School physicals are only $39!

 The prices for services depended on what you were being seen for, but they ranged between $39.99 and $219 (the higher end costs were for things like a Measles vaccine). Overall, the prices if you were uninsured seemed to be lower than what you would pay at a doctor’s office if you didn’t have insurance.

I haven’t personally had those vaccines, so I can’t compare to those prices, but for regular check ups and physicals, they were actually less than what I’ve paid in the past few years without insurance.

They sure are cheaper than going to the emergency room, I can tell you that for sure! We paid $100 for Angeline’s emergency room visit just a week before and that was with insurance!

 Aside from visiting the Walgreens Healthcare Clinic, you can also speak to a pharmacist if you have questions about the medications that might be prescribed to you, or even for assistance in choosing the right over the counter medication for regular illnesses.

One of the things I especially appreciated about the Walgreens #HealthcareClinic in Miami is that they are all over the place. With so many Walgreens in neighborhoods all over the country, getting to a Walgreens Healthcare Clinic can be a lot easier than getting to a doctor’s office if you don’t have a car – or even if you’re pressed for time. Walgreens Healthcare Clinics even have evening and weekend hours, which would have saved me a lot of hassle back when I worked in an office.

Even now, I think it will be really helpful because Angeline won’t have to miss school if she gets sick; I can just take her to the clinic after school. And if she gets sick on the weekend, we would never be able to see a doctor anyway, so the Walgreens Healthcare Clinic will be so helpful!

For more information about the Walgreens Healthcare Clinic, or to find out if there is one near you, you can check out Walgreens.com.

You can also follow @Walgreens on Twitter and like the Walgreens Facebook page! You can also check out this Google+ story to see all of my photos from my trip to the Walgreens Healthcare Clinic!