Cough Won’t Go Away? A Guide to Your Next Healthcare Steps in Los Angeles, CA
Cough Won’t Go Away? A Guide to Your Next Healthcare Steps in Los Angeles, CA
If you’ve found yourself waking up at night coughing, with a tight chest and more tired than usual for weeks, it’s natural to worry about what’s going on. When your cough won’t go away and you notice symptoms like yellow mucus, it’s important to take these signs seriously. You are not alone in feeling uncertain about whether this is just a cold or something that needs more medical attention.
This post is here to help you understand what might be happening and guide you toward the right healthcare providers to see in Los Angeles. We’ll also give you a clear idea of what initial procedures might be done and how much those might cost if you’re paying out of pocket. You’re in the right place to get the information you need to take the next step toward feeling better.
Who to See for Your Symptoms in Los Angeles
Based on your persistent cough, chest tightness, and other symptoms, a few types of doctors could be a good place to start:
- Family Practice Doctor: A generalist who diagnoses and treats a wide range of health issues. They can evaluate your cough, perform basic tests, and decide if you need referral to a specialist.
- Infectious Disease Specialist: Focuses on infections that might be causing a prolonged cough, especially if it’s related to bacteria, viruses, or other germs.
- Pulmonary Disease Specialist: Experts in lung and breathing issues who can perform detailed lung tests to find out if a lung condition is causing your symptoms.
- Internal Medicine Doctor: Similar to family practice but mainly for adults, they can evaluate ongoing symptoms and manage complex or multiple health concerns.
What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs
Visit with a Family Practice Doctor
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Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: A thorough doctor’s visit where you describe your symptoms and get a physical exam. This visit helps start the diagnosis process.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $209.58 (typically ranges from $157.19 to $261.98)
This estimate is based on 799 providers in the Los Angeles area. -
Procedure: X-ray of chest, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
Purpose: An X-ray helps visualize your lungs and chest to find signs of infection, inflammation, or other problems.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $51.81 (typically ranges from $38.86 to $64.76)
This estimate is based on 70 providers in the Los Angeles area. -
Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG), 12 leads (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: An ECG checks your heart’s rhythm, as chest tightness can sometimes be related to heart issues.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $33.63 (typically ranges from $19.06 to $48.21)
This estimate is based on 295 providers in the Los Angeles area. -
Procedure: Detection test for strep (CPT Code: 87880)
Purpose: A quick test to see if bacteria like strep are causing your symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $29.15 (typically ranges from $19.33 to $38.96)
This estimate is based on 26 providers in the Los Angeles area.
Visit with an Infectious Disease Specialist
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Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Specialized evaluation of infections that could be causing ongoing cough.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $201.92 (typically ranges from $150.07 to $253.76)
This estimate is based on 46 providers in Los Angeles. -
Procedure: X-ray of chest, 1 view (CPT Code: 71045)
Purpose: Focused chest X-ray to identify infection or lung abnormalities.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $136.82 (typically ranges from $29.44 to $244.20)
This estimate is based on 1 provider in Los Angeles. -
Procedure: Complete blood cell count (CPT Code: 85025)
Purpose: Blood test to check for infection signs or inflammation in your body.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $13.87 (typically ranges from $9.13 to $18.60)
This estimate is based on 2 providers. -
Procedure: Blood test, comprehensive chemicals (CPT Code: 80053)
Purpose: Measures blood chemistry to assess overall health and rule out complications.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $27.34 (typically ranges from $12.42 to $42.26)
This estimate is based on 2 providers.
Visit with a Pulmonary Disease Specialist
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Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Evaluation focused on lung health and breathing-related symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $205.54 (typically ranges from $150.04 to $261.05)
This estimate is based on 151 providers. -
Procedure: X-ray of chest, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
Purpose: Helps detect lung issues like pneumonia, chronic conditions, or other abnormalities.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $55.52 (typically ranges from $41.64 to $69.40)
This estimate is based on 14 providers. -
Procedure: Tests to examine how well lungs exchange gases (CPT Code: 94729)
Purpose: Measures how effectively your lungs bring oxygen into your blood and remove carbon dioxide.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $68.34 (typically ranges from $51.25 to $85.42)
This estimate is based on 76 providers. -
Procedure: Test to measure breathing airflow before and after medication (CPT Code: 94060)
Purpose: Assesses your lung function and response to treatment, useful for asthma or COPD diagnosis.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $59.33 (typically ranges from $37.68 to $81.00)
This estimate is based on 70 providers. -
Procedure: Inhalation treatment for airway obstruction (CPT Code: 94640)
Purpose: Treatment to open your airways and make breathing easier if obstruction is found.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $34.39 (typically ranges from $12.74 to $56.04)
This estimate is based on 8 providers.
Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor
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Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Comprehensive check-up and diagnosis for adults experiencing ongoing symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $204.24 (typically ranges from $153.18 to $255.30)
This estimate is based on 1176 providers. -
Procedure: X-ray of chest, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
Purpose: To detect any chest or lung issues contributing to the cough.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $55.63 (typically ranges from $41.72 to $69.54)
This estimate is based on 111 providers. -
Procedure: Blood sample collection (CPT Code: 36415)
Purpose: To draw blood for various diagnostic tests including infection markers.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.85 (typically ranges from $9.64 to $16.06)
This estimate is based on 511 providers. -
Procedure: Bacterial urine culture (CPT Code: 87088)
Purpose: Checks for urinary tract infections which sometimes can cause systemic symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $14.36 (typically ranges from $9.52 to $19.21)
This estimate is based on 2 providers. -
Procedure: Inhalation treatment for airway obstruction (CPT Code: 94640)
Purpose: Treatment to relieve airway blockage and reduce coughing.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $26.84 (typically ranges from $12.59 to $41.08)
This estimate is based on 10 providers.
Your Recommended Next Steps
Taking the first step to address your persistent cough is important, and here’s how you can move forward with confidence:
- Schedule an Appointment: Reach out to a Family Practice or Internal Medicine doctor first, as they can evaluate your symptoms and guide you if a specialist is needed.
- Prepare for Your Visit: Write down your symptoms (how long, how often coughing occurs, any chest tightness), any medications or treatments you’ve tried, and questions you want to ask.
- Discuss Costs: When you book your appointment, ask about expected costs and whether they accept your insurance. The figures in this post are estimates based on typical self-pay rates in Los Angeles.
- Stay Reassured: Remember, persistent symptoms deserve professional evaluation. Getting the right care will help you get back to feeling normal and secure.
Need Help Navigating Your Options?
Finding affordable, trustworthy care can be confusing, especially if you’re uninsured or new to the system. That’s why we built Transparent Health: a tool to help you understand your options and find the right provider for your needs.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment tailored to your condition.