Trouble Breathing in Long Beach? What You Should Do Next

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Trouble Breathing in Long Beach? What You Should Do Next

Feeling short of breath, especially when walking or climbing stairs, combined with chest tightness and coughing, can naturally make you anxious. It’s completely understandable to be concerned when your breathing feels harder than usual — your body is trying to tell you something important. If you’ve been searching for help on trouble breathing in Long Beach, you’re taking a wise step toward figuring out what might be going on and how to get the care you need.

This post aims to guide you through the possible next steps: helping you understand what types of doctors can help, what diagnostic tests and treatments you might expect, and the typical costs in your Long Beach area. Our goal is to empower and support you as you move forward with your health.

Who to See for Your Symptoms in Long Beach

Based on your symptoms of breathing difficulty, chest tightness, and coughing, there are a few types of healthcare providers you might consider contacting as a first step:

  • Pulmonary Disease Specialist: A lung doctor focused on diagnosing and treating breathing and lung conditions. They can perform specialized tests to understand your lung function.
  • Cardiologist: A heart specialist who checks if your symptoms could be related to heart or blood flow issues.
  • Family Practice Doctor: A general doctor who can evaluate a wide range of health concerns and guide you on whether you need specialized care.
  • Internal Medicine Doctor: A specialist in adult medicine who manages complex or chronic illnesses and can investigate breathing issues.
  • Emergency Medicine Provider: If your breathing troubles worsen or become severe, emergency care might be necessary for immediate treatment.

Each of these providers offers a different approach to assessing and managing your symptoms. Starting with a family or internal medicine doctor can be a convenient entry point, and they can refer you to specialists if needed.

What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs

Here’s a breakdown of common procedures related to your symptoms and their estimated self-pay costs in Long Beach, CA.

Visit with a Pulmonary Disease Specialist

  • Procedure: Established Patient Office Visit (30-39 minutes) (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: A detailed check-up to discuss your symptoms and perform physical exams focused on your breathing.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $211.34 (typically ranges from $158.51 to $264.18)
    Based on 75 providers in Long Beach.

  • Procedure: X-ray of Chest, 2 Views (CPT Code: 71046)
    Purpose: To get images of your lungs and chest to detect infections, lung issues, or other problems.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $63.61 (ranges from $43.02 to $84.20)
    Based on 6 providers in Long Beach.

  • Procedure: Lung Function Test Before and After Medication (CPT Code: 94060)
    Purpose: Measures how well you breathe and how your lungs respond to treatment.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $59.90 (ranges from $37.22 to $82.58)
    Based on 46 providers.

  • Procedure: Test on How Well Lungs Exchange Gases (CPT Code: 94729)
    Purpose: Checks how oxygen and carbon dioxide move in your lungs, important for breathing issues.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $69.87 (ranges from $52.40 to $87.34)
    Based on 45 providers.

  • Procedure: Inhalation Treatment for Airway Obstruction (CPT Code: 94640)
    Purpose: A therapy that helps open up airways or clear mucus if your breathing is blocked.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $22.63 (ranges from $12.62 to $32.64)
    Based on 8 providers.

Visit with a Cardiologist

  • Procedure: Established Patient Office Visit (30-39 minutes) (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: A focused visit to explore whether your symptoms come from heart-related problems.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $215.10 (ranges from $161.33 to $268.88)
    Based on 180 providers.

  • Procedure: Routine Electrocardiogram (ECG) with Interpretation (CPT Code: 93000)
    Purpose: Measures your heart’s electrical activity to spot rhythm or function issues.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $28.29 (ranges from $19.01 to $37.58)
    Based on 167 providers.

  • Procedure: Heart Ultrasound with Blood Flow Assessment (CPT Code: 93306)
    Purpose: Imaging to look at heart chambers, valves, and blood flow for proper function.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $164.09 (ranges from $119.42 to $208.76)
    Based on 185 providers.

  • Procedure: Ultrasound Study of Arm and Leg Arteries (CPT Code: 93922)
    Purpose: Checks blood flow in arteries that might impact your overall circulation and symptoms.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $141.22 (ranges from $101.60 to $180.84)
    Based on 12 providers.

  • Procedure: X-ray of Chest, 2 Views (CPT Code: 71046)
    Purpose: Imaging to help identify related heart or lung issues.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $62.86 (ranges from $47.15 to $78.58)
    Based on 2 providers.

Visit with a Family Practice Doctor

  • Procedure: Established Patient Office Visit (30-39 minutes) (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: A general health check where you can describe all your symptoms, and the doctor can advise on next steps.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $212.06 (ranges from $159.05 to $265.08)
    Based on 574 providers.

  • Procedure: Routine Electrocardiogram (ECG) (CPT Code: 93000)
    Purpose: To quickly check your heart’s rhythm as part of your evaluation.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $28.76 (ranges from $19.10 to $38.41)
    Based on 185 providers.

  • Procedure: Lung Function Test (CPT Code: 94010)
    Purpose: Measures how well air moves in and out of your lungs.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $48.83 (ranges from $36.62 to $61.04)
    Based on 7 providers.

  • Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 Views (CPT Code: 71046)
    Purpose: Basic imaging to check lungs and chest structure.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $54.72 (ranges from $41.04 to $68.40)
    Based on 63 providers.

  • Procedure: Blood Sample Collection (CPT Code: 36415)
    Purpose: For laboratory tests to check for infections or other health markers.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.00 (ranges from $9.00 to $15.00)
    Based on 239 providers.

Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor

  • Procedure: Established Patient Office Visit (30-39 minutes) (CPT Code: 99214)
    Purpose: In-depth care focusing on adult health concerns and diagnosis.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $209.33 (ranges from $157.00 to $261.66)
    Based on 602 providers.

  • Procedure: Routine Electrocardiogram (ECG) (CPT Code: 93000)
    Purpose: Heart rhythm check to rule out cardiac causes of breathing trouble.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $30.12 (ranges from $18.98 to $41.25)
    Based on 241 providers.

  • Procedure: X-ray of Chest, 2 Views (CPT Code: 71046)
    Purpose: To visualize lungs and chest cavity for abnormalities.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $57.44 (ranges from $43.08 to $71.80)
    Based on 37 providers.

  • Procedure: Lung Function Test (CPT Code: 94010)
    Purpose: Evaluates airflow and lung volume to assess breathing capacity.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $43.90 (ranges from $32.93 to $54.88)
    Based on 18 providers.

  • Procedure: Inhalation Treatment for Airway Obstruction (CPT Code: 94640)
    Purpose: Treatment to relieve airway blockage for easier breathing.
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $20.12 (ranges from $12.48 to $27.76)
    Based on 4 providers.

Emergency Medicine

If your breathing difficulty suddenly becomes severe, you feel extreme chest pain, faint, or have blue lips or face, go to an emergency room right away.

  • Emergency Department Visit with Moderate Medical Decision Making (CPT Code: 99284)
    Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $309.38 (ranges from $149.18 to $469.58)
    Based on 489 providers.

Feeling nervous about breathing issues is natural, but you’ve done the right thing by looking for answers. Now, the most important step is to quickly get professional help.

  • Schedule an Appointment: Call and book a visit with a family practice, internal medicine, pulmonary, or cardiology specialist in Long Beach. If you experience sudden severe symptoms, visit the emergency room immediately.
  • Prepare for Your Visit: Write down your symptoms, including when they started, how they change with activity, and any other concerns or questions.
  • Discuss Costs Upfront: Ask the clinic or doctor’s office about out-of-pocket costs and your insurance coverage before your appointment to avoid surprises.
  • Stay Reassured: Seeking medical advice is a positive, proactive step toward feeling better. Early evaluation can provide peace of mind or timely treatment to improve your breathing.

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 professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or someone else is experiencing severe breathing difficulty or chest pain, seek emergency medical care immediately.