Cough Won’t Stop? A Guide to Your Next Healthcare Steps in Houston, TX
Cough Won’t Stop? A Guide to Your Next Healthcare Steps in Houston, TX
If you’ve been dealing with a cough that just won’t quit for weeks, and now you’re finding yourself out of breath doing everyday tasks like walking to the mailbox, it’s completely natural to feel concerned. Tightness in your throat and chest, along with coughing up mucus or “gross stuff,” can be uncomfortable and alarming. You’re not alone in wondering if this might be something serious.
This post is here to help guide you through your next steps. We’ll explain which types of doctors in Houston, TX, might be best to see for your symptoms, what kinds of tests or procedures you might expect during your initial visit, and how much those visits could typically cost if you’re paying out of pocket. Our goal is to empower you to take confident action toward getting the care you need.
Who to See for Your Symptoms in Houston, TX
Based on your symptoms—a cough lasting several weeks, breathlessness, chest tightness, and mucus production—there are a few types of healthcare providers you might consider starting with:
- Family Practice Doctors: These are general doctors who can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including respiratory issues. They’re a great first stop to assess your cough and overall health.
- Internal Medicine Doctors: Specialists in adult health, Internal Medicine doctors focus on complex or chronic illnesses. They can offer thorough evaluations and coordinate any needed follow-up care.
- Pulmonary Disease Specialists: These doctors specialize in lung and breathing problems. If your cough and breathlessness suggest a lung condition, they are well equipped to help.
- Infectious Disease Specialists: If your cough is suspected to be caused by infections like pneumonia or tuberculosis, these experts can provide specialized care.
Seeing one of these providers will help you get a clear diagnosis and the right treatment plan.
What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs
Here’s a breakdown of what you might encounter during your first appointments with each type of provider, along with estimated self-pay costs in the Houston, TX area.
Visit with a Family Practice Doctor
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Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: This is a standard follow-up or evaluation visit to discuss your symptoms, examine you, and possibly order tests.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $195.94 (typically ranges from $146.95 to $244.92)
Provider Availability: This estimate is based on 511 providers in the Houston area. -
Procedure: X-ray of chest, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
Purpose: A chest X-ray helps see if there are lung infections, fluid, or other issues causing your cough.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $52.54 (ranges from $39.41 to $65.68)
Provider Availability: Based on 32 providers. -
Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) using at least 12 leads (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: This test checks your heart’s electrical activity, especially if breathlessness is involved.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $24.25 (ranges from $17.44 to $31.06)
Provider Availability: 108 providers. -
Procedure: Automated urinalysis test (CPT Code: 81003)
Purpose: Often used to check for infections or other issues not directly related to cough but important for a full evaluation.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $4.67 (ranges from $2.63 to $6.71)
Provider Availability: 66 providers. -
Procedure: Blood sample collection (CPT Code: 36415)
Purpose: Blood tests can help check for infection, inflammation, or other causes of your symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.83 (ranges from $9.62 to $16.04)
Provider Availability: 86 providers.
Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor
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Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Detailed assessment, ideal if your cough is chronic or complex.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $194.75 (ranges from $146.06 to $243.44)
Provider Availability: 492 providers. -
Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
Purpose: To examine your lungs for infection or other conditions.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $48.43 (ranges from $36.32 to $60.54)
Provider Availability: 20 providers. -
Procedure: Routine ECG (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: To check heart health related to breathlessness.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $23.94 (ranges from $17.41 to $30.47)
Provider Availability: 159 providers. -
Procedure: Blood sample collection (CPT Code: 36415)
Purpose: Blood work to explore infection or underlying issues.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $13.01 (ranges from $9.76 to $16.26)
Provider Availability: 87 providers.
Visit with a Pulmonary Disease Specialist
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Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Focused lung exam and history for persistent or complex cough and breathing problems.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $189.95 (ranges from $142.46 to $237.44)
Provider Availability: 81 providers. -
Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
Purpose: To look closely at lung structures for causes of your symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $42.73 (ranges from $32.02 to $53.44)
Provider Availability: 11 providers. -
Procedure: Test to measure expiratory airflow and volume (CPT Code: 94010)
Purpose: This lung function test shows how well you are breathing out air, important for diagnosing asthma or COPD.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $35.81 (ranges from $19.78 to $51.85)
Provider Availability: 53 providers. -
Procedure: Inhalation treatment for airway obstruction or sputum production (CPT Code: 94640)
Purpose: Treatment to help open your airways and reduce coughing or mucus.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $16.52 (ranges from $11.14 to $21.90)
Provider Availability: 4 providers. -
Procedure: Exam of lung airways using an endoscope (CPT Code: 31623)
Purpose: A detailed internal examination of lung airways, sometimes needed for difficult cases.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $456.86 (ranges widely from $0.24 to $913.48)
Provider Availability: Only 1 provider.
Visit with an Infectious Disease Specialist
- Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Evaluates infections that might be causing your cough, such as bacterial or viral illnesses.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $181.20 (ranges from $135.90 to $226.50)
Provider Availability: 47 providers.
Your Recommended Next Steps
Your cough and breathlessness should be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment. Here’s what you can do next:
- Schedule an Appointment: Contact a Family Practice doctor or Internal Medicine provider as a good starting point. If your symptoms are severe or you have a history of lung problems, consider a Pulmonary Disease specialist.
- Prepare for Your Visit: Write down how long you’ve had the cough, descriptions of your symptoms, any mucus you have coughed up, and how breathlessness affects your daily activities. Prepare any questions you want to ask your doctor.
- Discuss Costs: When making an appointment, ask about expected costs and insurance coverage. The estimates above can help you anticipate expenses if you’re paying out of pocket.
- Follow-Up: If your initial provider suggests seeing a specialist, don’t hesitate—specialized care might be needed.
- Stay Positive: Getting checked by a healthcare professional is the best step you can take to protect your health and find relief.
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 not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.