Cough Won’t Stop? A Guide to Your Next Healthcare Steps in New York

coughpersistent coughNew Yorkhealthcaredoctor visitchest tightnessmedical costs

Cough Won’t Stop? A Guide to Your Next Healthcare Steps in New York

If you’ve been coughing almost every day for weeks and it’s worsening, especially at night, you’re not alone in feeling worried. When tiredness, chest tightness, and mucus accompany a cough that just won’t go away like a normal cold, it’s natural to wonder if something more serious is happening and whether you should see a doctor. Understanding your symptoms and knowing the next steps can feel overwhelming — but you’re in the right place.

This post will help you understand which types of healthcare providers are best for your symptoms, what to expect during your visits, and provide you with an overview of estimated costs for care in New York City. Our goal is to empower you with clear information to guide you toward the right professional care quickly and confidently.

Who to See for Your Symptoms in New York

Based on your symptoms — a persistent cough, chest tightness, tiredness, and mucus — a few types of doctors might be the best starting points:

  • Family Practice Doctor: A generalist who can diagnose and treat a wide range of common illnesses, including prolonged coughs. They can also order tests and refer you to specialists if needed.
  • Internal Medicine Doctor: Focuses on adult health and complex conditions. They can evaluate your symptoms thoroughly and manage more complicated respiratory issues.
  • Pulmonary Disease Specialist: A doctor trained specifically in lung and breathing problems. If your cough relates to asthma, chronic bronchitis, or other lung conditions, they are ideal.
  • Allergy/Immunology Specialist: If your cough might be caused by allergies or immune system issues, these doctors can test and treat those problems.

Each of these providers can help evaluate your cough and decide what treatment or tests might be necessary.

What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs

Here’s a breakdown of common procedures you might encounter with each type of provider, along with estimated self-pay costs in New York City.

Visit with a Family Practice Doctor

  • Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: This is your main appointment where the doctor listens to your symptoms, performs a physical exam, and discusses your health history. It’s essential for identifying the cause of your cough.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $225.02 (typically ranges from $168.77 to $281.28)
    Provider Availability: Based on 734 providers in New York.

  • Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) using at least 12 leads with interpretation (CPT Code: 93000)
    Purpose: To check your heart’s rhythm and function, especially if chest tightness is present. It helps rule out heart-related causes.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $33.44 (ranges from $20.39 to $46.49)
    Provider Availability: 362 providers.

  • Procedure: X-ray of chest, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
    Purpose: A chest X-ray helps visualize lungs and chest structures. Used to detect infections, inflammation, or other lung problems causing your cough.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $60.85 (ranges from $45.64 to $76.06)
    Provider Availability: 56 providers.

  • Procedure: Detection test for influenza virus using immunoassay (CPT Code: 87804)
    Purpose: This test checks if the flu virus is causing your symptoms. Important during flu season or if symptoms suggest influenza.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $25.81 (ranges from $19.36 to $32.26)
    Provider Availability: 86 providers.

Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor

  • Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: Similar to family practice, this is the detailed consultation to understand your symptoms and plan treatment. Critical for accurate diagnosis.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $221.20 (ranges from $165.90 to $276.50)
    Provider Availability: 2373 providers.

  • Procedure: Insertion of needle into vein for blood sample (CPT Code: 36415)
    Purpose: Blood tests may help identify infections or other causes contributing to your cough. Blood work is often part of thorough evaluation.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.93 (ranges from $9.70 to $16.16)
    Provider Availability: 1537 providers.

  • Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
    Purpose: To get an image of your lungs to check for infections or lung disease.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $61.76 (ranges from $46.32 to $77.20)
    Provider Availability: 41 providers.

  • Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) (CPT Code: 93000)
    Purpose: To ensure your chest tightness isn’t related to heart problems.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $35.69 (ranges from $20.34 to $51.04)
    Provider Availability: 1350 providers.

  • Procedure: Detection test for influenza virus (CPT Code: 87804) — Sometimes ordered if flu is suspected.

Visit with a Pulmonary Disease Specialist

  • Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: A focused appointment on lung health to evaluate your cough and breathing difficulties.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $215.20 (ranges from $161.40 to $269.00)
    Provider Availability: 283 providers.

  • Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
    Purpose: To look for abnormalities in your lungs or chest.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $62.60 (ranges from $46.54 to $78.67)
    Provider Availability: 26 providers.

  • Procedure: Test to examine how well your lungs exchange gases (CPT Code: 94729)
    Purpose: A breathing test to see how well your lungs transfer oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. Important to assess lung function.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $70.47 (ranges from $49.31 to $91.64)
    Provider Availability: 211 providers.

  • Procedure: Test to measure airflow and lung volume (CPT Code: 94010)
    Purpose: Measures how much air you can breathe out and how fast, helping detect airway obstruction.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $49.55 (ranges from $26.68 to $72.43)
    Provider Availability: 127 providers.

  • Procedure: Blood sample collection (CPT Code: 36415) — For tests needed to diagnose conditions.

Visit with an Allergy/Immunology Specialist

  • Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: Focuses on immune system or allergy-related causes of your cough and symptoms.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $224.18 (ranges from $168.13 to $280.22)
    Provider Availability: 71 providers.

  • Procedure: Test to measure expiratory airflow and volume (CPT Code: 94010) — Same as pulmonary testing for lung function.

  • Procedure: Inhalation treatment for airway obstruction or sputum production (CPT Code: 94640)
    Purpose: A treatment to help open airways and make it easier to breathe if obstruction is present.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $23.05 (ranges from $13.66 to $32.44)
    Provider Availability: 3 providers.

  • Procedure: Routine ECG (CPT Code: 93000) — Assesses heart rhythm if indicated.

Taking action is the best way to address your persistent cough and related symptoms. Here’s what you can do next:

  1. Schedule an Appointment: Contact a Family Practice or Internal Medicine doctor first, as they can help evaluate a wide range of possibilities and refer you to a specialist if needed. If your cough is clearly related to lungs or allergies, consider seeing a Pulmonary or Allergy/Immunology specialist.
  2. Prepare for Your Visit: Write down your symptoms, including how long you’ve had the cough, what makes it worse, any chest tightness or tiredness, and questions you want to ask your doctor.
  3. Discuss Costs: When you call to book your appointment, ask about current costs and whether you need any tests. The prices above are estimated self-pay costs in New York—actual costs can vary.
  4. Stay Reassured: Persistent coughs can stem from many treatable conditions. Seeking professional advice is the right step toward feeling better and ensuring nothing serious is missed.

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 information is for general guidance only and does not replace professional medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for personalized diagnosis and treatment.