Persistent Shortness of Breath? Your Next Healthcare Steps in Long Beach, CA
Persistent Shortness of Breath? Your Next Healthcare Steps in Long Beach, CA
If you’ve been feeling short of breath consistently—even when doing simple activities like walking around your home—you’re not alone in your concern. Adding symptoms like a cough that won’t go away and chest tightness can understandably make you worried about your health. It’s natural to wonder if this is just being out of shape or if there’s something more serious going on. Searching for answers is a smart first step.
This post is here to help guide you through the next important steps. We will explain who you can turn to for professional evaluation in Long Beach, CA, what kinds of tests or visits you might expect, and what initial self-pay costs could look like based on local care options. You’re in the right place to find clear, practical information on how to move forward safely and confidently.
Who to See for Your Symptoms in Long Beach, CA
Based on your symptoms of ongoing shortness of breath, cough, and chest tightness, several types of healthcare providers could be a good starting point to evaluate your condition:
- Pulmonary Disease Specialists: These doctors focus on lung health and can help diagnose and treat breathing problems and lung conditions.
- Emergency Medicine Providers: If your breathing difficulty feels severe or suddenly worsens, emergency doctors can provide immediate care and tests to rule out urgent problems.
- Family Practice Doctors: Family practitioners are generalists who can evaluate your symptoms, conduct initial tests, and refer you to specialists if needed. They’re a great first step for most medical concerns.
- Cardiologists: These heart specialists assess whether your symptoms might be related to heart function or circulation issues, which can also cause breathing difficulties.
- Internal Medicine Physicians: Internists specialize in adult medicine and can provide a thorough evaluation of your lungs, heart, and overall health in an outpatient setting.
What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs
Here is a rundown of typical procedures you might undergo with each provider type in Long Beach, along with estimated self-pay costs to help you prepare financially.
Visit with a Pulmonary Disease Specialist
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Procedure: Established patient office or outpatient visit (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: A detailed doctor visit to discuss your symptoms and perform a physical exam focused on your lung health.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $211.34 (typically ranges from $158.51 to $264.18)
This estimate is based on 75 providers in the Long Beach area. -
Procedure: X-ray of chest, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
Purpose: A chest X-ray helps the doctor see your lungs and chest structure to find issues like infections or lung disease.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $63.61 (ranges from $43.02 to $84.20)
6 providers offer this service locally. -
Procedure: Lung gas exchange test (CPT Code: 94729)
Purpose: This test measures how well your lungs move oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $69.87 (ranges from $52.40 to $87.34)
45 providers available. -
Procedure: Expiratory airflow test before and after medication (CPT Code: 94060)
Purpose: Measures your breathing ability and shows if medications improve lung function.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $59.90 (ranges from $37.22 to $82.58)
Offered by 46 providers. -
Procedure: Inhalation treatment for airway obstruction (CPT Code: 94640)
Purpose: Provides medication to open airways and ease breathing.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $22.63 (ranges from $12.62 to $32.64)
8 providers offer this.
Visit with an Emergency Medicine Provider
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Procedure: Emergency department visit with moderate decision making (CPT Code: 99284)
Purpose: If symptoms worsen suddenly, this visit provides urgent assessment and treatment.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $309.38 (ranges from $149.18 to $469.58)
489 local providers. -
Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $59.82 (ranges from $44.87 to $74.78)
25 providers. -
Procedure: Electrocardiogram (ECG) with interpretation (CPT Code: 93010)
Purpose: Checks your heart’s electrical activity to identify heart problems causing shortness of breath.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $24.02 (ranges from $10.22 to $37.82)
322 providers. -
Procedure: Heart ultrasound, follow-up (CPT Code: 93308)
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $71.69 (ranges $31.32 to $112.06)
35 providers. -
Procedure: Troponin protein test (CPT Code: 84484)
Purpose: Blood test detecting heart muscle damage.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $23.78 (ranges $14.66 to $32.90)
4 providers.
Visit with a Family Practice Doctor
-
Procedure: Established patient visit (CPT Code: 99214)
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $212.06 (ranges $159.05 to $265.08)
574 providers. -
Procedure: ECG with interpretation (CPT Code: 93000)
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $28.76 (ranges $19.10 to $38.41)
185 providers. -
Procedure: Expiratory airflow and volume test (CPT Code: 94010)
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $48.83 (ranges $36.62 to $61.04)
7 providers. -
Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $54.72 (ranges $41.04 to $68.40)
63 providers. -
Procedure: Blood sample collection (CPT Code: 36415)
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.00 (ranges $9.00 to $15.00)
239 providers.
Visit with a Cardiologist
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Procedure: Established patient visit (CPT Code: 99214)
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $215.10 (ranges $161.33 to $268.88)
180 providers. -
Procedure: ECG with interpretation (CPT Code: 93000)
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $28.29 (ranges $19.01 to $37.58)
167 providers. -
Procedure: Heart ultrasound with blood flow analysis (CPT Code: 93306)
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $164.09 (ranges $119.42 to $208.76)
185 providers. -
Procedure: Heart ultrasound (CPT Code: 93307)
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $73.74 (ranges $55.31 to $92.18)
2 providers. -
Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $62.86 (ranges $47.15 to $78.58)
2 providers.
Visit with an Internal Medicine Physician
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Procedure: Established patient visit (CPT Code: 99214)
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $209.33 (ranges $156.99 to $261.66)
602 providers. -
Procedure: ECG with interpretation (CPT Code: 93000)
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $30.12 (ranges $18.98 to $41.25)
241 providers. -
Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $57.44 (ranges $43.08 to $71.80)
37 providers. -
Procedure: Lung gas exchange test (CPT Code: 94729)
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $74.14 (ranges $55.61 to $92.68)
15 providers. -
Procedure: Inhalation treatment for airway obstruction (CPT Code: 94640)
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $20.12 (ranges $12.48 to $27.76)
4 providers.
Your Recommended Next Steps
Your symptoms of persistent shortness of breath and chest tightness deserve timely medical attention. Here’s what you can do now:
- Schedule an Appointment: Contact a pulmonary specialist, family practice physician, internist, or cardiologist in Long Beach to start an evaluation. If your symptoms suddenly worsen, visit an emergency department immediately.
- Prepare for Your Visit: Write down how long you’ve had symptoms, what makes them better or worse, any other health concerns, and questions for your provider.
- Discuss Costs in Advance: Call the provider’s office to confirm appointment fees and any tests you may need. The cost estimates here are averages and may vary.
- Take Care and Stay Calm: Remember, early professional assessment is the best way to get peace of mind and proper treatment.
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 provides general information for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerning symptoms, please seek immediate care from a qualified healthcare provider.