[rustyp]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

JM beat me to the "pre-law" quote

I hope the OP has seen a professional. Since I suggested it, the AAAP crowd (American Association of Amateur Physicians) has chimed in with allergies, COVID, reflux esophagitis and ARDS as well as some very specific pharmaceutical recommendations. Heck, in April 2009 my brother had the same symptoms, went to urgent care in TV twice 10 days apart, was given azithromycin both times, then returned to NY and got a proper diagnosis---He died of metastatic carcinoma of the lung in October. Forty years experience in internal Medicine and I wouldn't even consider floating a differential diagnosis, much less treatment recommendations based on the OP. Perhaps that means I should trade in my ABIM board certification and professorship at the University of New York for that membership in AAAP

Impressive.

-

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

JM beat me to the "pre-law" quote

I hope the OP has seen a professional. Since I suggested it, the AAAP crowd (American Association of Amateur Physicians) has chimed in with allergies, COVID, reflux esophagitis and ARDS as well as some very specific pharmaceutical recommendations. Heck, in April 2009 my brother had the same symptoms, went to urgent care in TV twice 10 days apart, was given azithromycin both times, then returned to NY and got a proper diagnosis---He died of metastatic carcinoma of the lung in October. Forty years experience in internal Medicine and I wouldn't even consider floating a differential diagnosis, much less treatment recommendations based on the OP. Perhaps that means I should trade in my ABIM board certification and professorship at the University of New York for that membership in AAAP

Yeah, but who will believe you about that, Dr. Police Commissioner...

[selltoyou]

Originally Posted by Softball77

My wife has a nagging cough and sore throat. Are others experiencing these symptoms? Is this something that is going around?

Had same symptoms and tested positive for Covid

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Yeah, but who will believe you about that, Dr. Police Commissioner...

But the OP might have saved himself a $ 5 copay.

[Eg_cruz]

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye

Softball77, I’ve had a nagging dry cough that’s been nagging me for a couple of months now, especially at bedtime or when I lay down. I have no idea why. I just put up with it.

Take over the counter acid reflux meds for 2 weeks see if it help.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

But the OP might have saved himself a $ 5 copay.

Or die... Decisions, Decisions...


P.S. $5 copay? In these times?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by jmsturm

Welcome to the worst part of allergy season in Florida. Since moving from Pennsylvania, where allergies were seasonal, I now suffer from year around allergies at sometimes worse than others. Coughing has been worse for about a week. With it comes a sore throat and headache. Thank goodness for cough drops.

I used to take Zyrtec just for a couple of weeks in the Spring, back in Connecticut. Now, I snort Fluonase every night before bed, for the past three years. Another downside to Florida - there is no single "pollen season." Pollen here is year-round, and it's just worse some weeks than others.

[Two Bills]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

I used to take Zyrtec just for a couple of weeks in the Spring, back in Connecticut. Now, I snort Fluonase every night before bed, for the past three years. Another downside to Florida - there is no single "pollen season." Pollen here is year-round, and it's just worse some weeks than others.

That's interesting.
Our grandson suffered badly from hay fever, and during the UK Spring and early Summer pollen season he was a mess, then he was fine for rest of year.
First time he ever visited us in TV within a day of arrival his hay fever symptoms came on, and that was in December, one of his supposedly good months.
As he has got older his body has become more tolerant of many of the irritants, and is nowhere as bad as he was in younger years.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Or die... Decisions, Decisions...


P.S. $5 copay? In these times?

Guess one gets to decide what ones life is worth.

Our copay to see a specialist is $ 5.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Guess one gets to decide what ones life is worth.

Our copay to see a specialist is $ 5.

Damn! I don't think I've collected a $5 co-pay in 20 years...

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Damn! I don't think I've collected a $5 co-pay in 20 years...

But you've sent out bills to collect it at $2.93 each

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

But you've sent out bills to collect it at $2.93 each

Nah, my front office staff is absolutely manic about collecting co-pays at the time of service...

I have a framed check from CareFirst/BlueChoice, hanging in my office...

It's for $0.01... I refuse to cash it...

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

But you've sent out bills to collect it at $2.93 each

Specialists we see collect the copay at appt and than bill Medicare for rest. Wonder how long for medicare to pay up?

[PugMom]

seasonal allergies are terrible @ times

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Specialists we see collect the copay at appt and than bill Medicare for rest. Wonder how long for medicare to pay up?

Medicare typically reimburses in 2-3 weeks...

Now, there is a difference between a co-pay and co-insurance.

Very few of our Medicare patients have a specialist copay. But it is quite common with commercial insurances (employer provided)... And it is typically $30-$50...

But almost ALL Medicare patients have the 20% co-insurance, that is typically picked up their co-insurance... Often only after their deductible has been satisfied...