Why Am I Always Out of Breath? Next Healthcare Steps in Los Angeles
Why Am I Always Out of Breath? Next Healthcare Steps in Los Angeles
Feeling out of breath even during simple activities like walking around your house or climbing stairs can be concerning, especially when coupled with a persistent cough and wheezing. It’s completely natural to feel worried as these symptoms may indicate something that needs attention. You’ve come to the right place to better understand what could be causing your breathlessness and to learn practical next steps, including the types of doctors you might need to see in Los Angeles and an idea of what your initial healthcare visit may cost.
Who to See for Your Symptoms in Los Angeles
When you’re experiencing breathlessness, cough, and wheezing, there are several types of healthcare providers who could help diagnose and treat the underlying cause. Here are the main professionals to consider:
- Family Practice Doctor: A generalist who can evaluate your overall health, identify common causes of breathing problems, and guide you toward specialized care if needed. This is often the first step.
- Internal Medicine Doctor: A specialist in adult health who can manage complex or chronic conditions affecting your heart and lungs.
- Pulmonary Disease Specialist: A doctor who focuses on lung and respiratory system problems. They can perform detailed lung function tests and treat breathing issues directly.
- Cardiology Specialist: A heart specialist who can evaluate whether a heart condition might be contributing to your breathlessness through tests like electrocardiograms or heart ultrasounds.
What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs
Understanding what to expect during your healthcare visit can ease some worry. Below is an overview of common procedures these providers might perform and their typical self-pay costs in Los Angeles.
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 appointment lets the doctor hear your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and decide what tests or treatments you might need.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $209.58 (ranges from $157.19 to $261.98)
Provider Availability: Based on 799 providers in Los Angeles. -
Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) with report (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: A quick test that checks your heart’s electrical activity to rule out heart-related causes of breathlessness.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $33.63 (ranges from $19.06 to $48.21)
Provider Availability: 295 providers offer this service. -
Procedure: Inhalation treatment for airway obstruction or sputum production (CPT Code: 94640)
Purpose: Treatments delivered through inhalers or nebulizers to open airways and ease breathing.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $18.00 (ranges from $12.61 to $23.38)
Provider Availability: 8 providers. -
Procedure: Test to examine how well lungs exchange gases (CPT Code: 94729)
Purpose: Measures how efficiently your lungs absorb oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $104.93 (ranges from $78.70 to $131.16)
Provider Availability: 1 provider. -
Procedure: Test to measure lung volumes using gas dilution or washout (CPT Code: 94727)
Purpose: Helps determine lung capacity and detect lung problems.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $79.76 (ranges from $59.82 to $99.70)
Provider Availability: 1 provider.
Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor
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Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Detailed evaluation of your health focused on adult diseases, including breathing and heart concerns.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $204.24 (ranges from $153.18 to $255.30)
Provider Availability: 1176 providers. -
Procedure: X-ray of chest, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
Purpose: A chest X-ray helps identify lung infections, heart size, or other lung abnormalities.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $55.63 (ranges from $41.72 to $69.54)
Provider Availability: 111 providers. -
Procedure: Routine ECG (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: Heart rhythm check to detect cardiac issues.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $32.62 (ranges from $18.98 to $46.26)
Provider Availability: 529 providers. -
Procedure: Inhalation treatment for airway obstruction (CPT Code: 94640)
Purpose: Medication delivered by inhaler to relieve airway trouble.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $26.83 (ranges from $12.59 to $41.08)
Provider Availability: 10 providers. -
Procedure: Test to measure expiratory airflow and volume (CPT Code: 94010)
Purpose: Measures how well you can breathe out air, important for diagnosing lung conditions.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $48.24 (ranges from $36.18 to $60.30)
Provider Availability: 24 providers.
Visit with a Pulmonary Disease Specialist
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Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Specialized lung evaluation to diagnose and manage respiratory diseases.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $205.55 (ranges from $150.04 to $261.05)
Provider Availability: 151 providers. -
Procedure: X-ray of chest, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
Purpose: Imaging to uncover lung or heart problems.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $55.52 (ranges from $41.64 to $69.40)
Provider Availability: 14 providers. -
Procedure: Test to measure expiratory airflow and volume (CPT Code: 94010)
Purpose: Evaluates your breathing capacity and lung function.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $40.57 (ranges from $24.79 to $56.35)
Provider Availability: 47 providers. -
Procedure: Test to examine how well lungs exchange gases (CPT Code: 94729)
Purpose: Measures oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange for lung health assessment.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $68.34 (ranges from $51.25 to $85.42)
Provider Availability: 76 providers. -
Procedure: Inhalation treatment for airway issues (CPT Code: 94640)
Purpose: Breathing treatments to reduce obstruction and improve airflow.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $34.39 (ranges from $12.74 to $56.04)
Provider Availability: 8 providers.
Visit with a Cardiology Specialist
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Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Evaluates your heart’s role in your symptoms to rule out heart-related causes of breathlessness.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $210.27 (ranges from $157.70 to $262.84)
Provider Availability: 341 providers. -
Procedure: Routine ECG (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: Quick heart rhythm and electrical activity check.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $33.75 (ranges from $18.98 to $48.51)
Provider Availability: 287 providers. -
Procedure: Ultrasound of heart to evaluate blood flow and valve function (CPT Code: 93306)
Purpose: A detailed heart ultrasound to see how your heart pumps blood and check for valve problems.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $201.52 (ranges from $137.46 to $265.58)
Provider Availability: 351 providers. -
Procedure: Test for exercise-induced heart and lung stress (CPT Code: 94621)
Purpose: Measures how your heart and lungs work during physical activity to detect stress-related issues.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $168.53 (ranges from $126.40 to $210.66)
Provider Availability: 3 providers. -
Procedure: Test to measure expiratory airflow and volume changes before and after medication (CPT Code: 94060)
Purpose: Assesses how well air flows out of your lungs and how you respond to medications that open airways.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $71.02 (ranges from $53.27 to $88.78)
Provider Availability: 1 provider.
Your Recommended Next Steps
It’s important to address your symptoms by seeing a qualified healthcare professional who can provide an accurate diagnosis and care plan. Here’s what you can do next:
- Schedule an Appointment: Contact a Family Practice doctor or Internal Medicine specialist as a first step. They can evaluate your symptoms and refer you to a Pulmonary or Cardiology specialist if necessary.
- Prepare for Your Visit: Write down all your symptoms, when they started, and any other health concerns. Think about questions you want to ask the doctor.
- Discuss Costs: When booking your appointment, ask the provider’s office about pricing and payment options. The costs shared here are estimated self-pay prices and can help you plan financially.
- Seek Help Promptly: If your breathlessness worsens suddenly or you experience chest pain, seek emergency care immediately.
Remember, getting professional advice is the best way to take care of your health. You’re taking a positive and proactive step by learning more today.
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 substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.