Why do they get sick on the weekends?

[lazysundays]

First off. Hiya!!! Been away for a couple of years juggling the now 2 and 4 year old girls. Financially we are toughing it out and are pretty stable. One cc is maxed out and the other one is climbing, but DHs recent raise should help with that.

My rant is about sick children and closed doctor's offices on the weekend. I've got insurance but what use is it if the office is closed. If the baby is sick, we either pay extra for an emergency Saturday docs office visit or pay the ER copay on Sunday. Today we are cautiously watching a possible ear infection. The 4 year old seems to be handling it well, but she had a ruptured eardrum in the past so wondering if she needs meds to start now. We will take her in to docs tomorrow but I'm irked that they are closed. She started complaining about the ear last night.

I think I may be used to instant gratification living so close to the city. I guess some people don't even live close to a hospital.

[whoisjohngalt]

Can a doctor on call give you a prescription?

[Peace77]

Don't you have urgent care centers where you live?

[alabamagal]

The ped office we used had Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon office hours for times like that.  We used it a few times.

Next best thing is urgent care clinic, never had a problem with those for insurance.

Unless you are SAHM better to have them sick when you don't have to miss work.

[Peace77]

Another option is Doctor on Demand.

[lazysundays]

Gotta look into urgent care centers. I work in a hospital. I only know about the "free" clinic for indigent.

[Deleted]

Our urgent care clinic is open from 8am-8pm seven days a week.

[lazysundays]

Found a nearby urgent care enter. Thanks. That is an easy fix. Never used those as a kid. We didn't even have a car when I was a kid, so if the buses weren't running, no traveling.

[Deleted]

Mar 9, 2014 10:46:23 GMT -5 Peace77 said:

Don't you have urgent care centers where you live?

10 times this!!!!

[Deleted]

Our urgent care doesn't cost any more than a typical office visit. 

[Deleted]

Mar 9, 2014 10:46:23 GMT -5 Peace77 said:

Don't you have urgent care centers where you live?

[moneymaven]

Lazy, you might want to find a pediatric office with Saturday hours. We found one that is open half days on Saturday and they are really good about accommodating everyone. Also helpful for well visits when we can't take the time away from work for whatever reason.

[Abby Normal]

Our pediatrician is part of a  local clinic that has an urgent care (in fact the peds and UC share the lobby).  That worked out really well when DS was young. They also had a pediatric advise nurse that was on staff 24-7.  So you could always call and get some advice.  Saved us from a lot of late night/weekend visits. 

[NancysSummerSip]

Mar 9, 2014 11:06:36 GMT -5 TheHaitian said:

Mar 9, 2014 10:46:23 GMT -5 Peace77 said:

Don't you have urgent care centers where you live?

10 times this!!!!

Been there, did this yesterday, actually. Had a very good visit, all things considered. Copay was higher than the doctor, but lower than the ER and they were as fast as my doctor's office, and very nice to deal with.

[lazysundays]

I think it's crazy that no one has ever mentioned this in my family when I was worried about a little one being sick. That was too easy. Yup her ear was in bad shape. Thanks guys.

[zibazinski]

My pediatrician was open on Saturdays and half days on Sundays.

[973beachbum]

Our Dr's aren't open on Weekends but they do have a call number number.  I have only called in maybe 3 times in my entire life but I was always called back by either my Dr or another one that was on call that night or weekend.  They were always super nice and helpful.

My favorite time was once instead of getting my doc, I got one in town who was actually retired.  I think he was close to 80 but really LOVED being the weekend on call person. He got to talk to patients about their health without the full time stress part.  He was actually the only Dr I have ever talked to who tried to keep you talking.   I should say he had been a family dr for maybe 50 years and was very smart and experienced.  It was just an interesting experience to call a Dr on Sat evening with an urgent medical problem and have him say not only no problem, but that he had all the time in the world to help so relax and tell him all about it.