ExpressHealth Inc.

By Paige Tucker
WJBF.com

Evans, Ga. -- Jim Hall isn't feeling his best, and he wants to feel better, today.

Jim Hall, patient, "It would've taken me a couple of days to get an appointment, with my regular doctor, for just sinusitis."

So, to try to relieve those sinus symptoms quickly, Jim's at MedExpress, a clinic designed to get sick people in and out, conveniently and quickly.

Phil McElhaney, Owner, MedExpress, "Time and dollars."

Owner, Phil McElhaney knows we all value our time and money, especially when we're sick. The idea behind MedExpress: no hassle healthcare.

Phil McElhaney, "Easy to get in, easy to get treatment, you're on your way at a reasonably affordable price."

The clinic has set prices for the aches and pains treated by the board-certified nurse practitioners, who run MedExpress. Think you have strep throat?

Phil McElhaney, "In an ER, that would cost about $300. In an urgent care facility, $140. In a physician's office, that would be $120. Our strep throat charge is $69."

$69, Cash or credit. The clinic doesn't accept insurance, which helps keep the prices low. Dr. Fred Merrill is one of the clinic's supervising physicians.

Dr. Fred Merrill, Supervising Physician, "We have an increasing amount of people who aren't even accessing healthcare. They're just dealing with common problmes, until they get more complex, and then it gets more costly when they have to go to the ER."

Dr. Merrill, who runs his own physician's group, down the street, says MedExpress is not a source of competition for local doctors.

Dr. Merrill, "What we looked at doing was providing a very low cost convenient service for very common problems, and this would be a complementary service to most physicians in the area."

Director of Nursing Lori Harrell says, it's important for patients to maintain a healthy home.

Lori Harrell, Nurse Practitioner, "We're just available at extended hours, or on weekends, when their Dr.'s office is closed, or if someone is traveling, and doesn't have a provider in town."

Or, when you can't get an appointment, like Jim Hall, who wanted to be seen, today. Hall has insurance, but must meet a deductible, and says this visit to MedExpress will be cheaper than seeing his regular doctor.

Jim Hall, "As a retired person, that's what I'm looking for. What are my yearly out of pocket medical expenses?"

To encourage patients, like Jim, to keep that healthy home, MedExpress makes it easy for patients to do that. They can send an electronic record of your visit to your regular doctor...and tucked neatly into this shopping center, this clinic puts a whole new spin on "doc in a box,." letting nurse practitioners get you on the express train to Welltown, in 30 minutes, or less.

So, how do you know when you're too sick to go to one of those quick clinics?

I talked to the folks at University Hospital, this afternoon. They told us that these clinics are great for certain ailments, but if you have a true emergency, you should go to the emergency room. If you're not sure, you can call your doctor, or call University's Ask-A-Nurse line, at 706-737-8423.

MedExpress offers several services, including: flu, sinus infections, sore throat/strep throat, ear infections, health screenings, physicals, and common minor injuries.