Airport Clinics Keep You Flying High and Healthy

So. you are sitting in the waiting area of the airport awaiting your departure flight but you are nagged by a sore throat or feeling hot from a petite fever. What to do? Your instincts tell you that you need to receive medical attention but you dismiss the thought and convey yourself you will deal with the problem once you land at your destination. Well, relief is available before you capture your flight. You do not have to fly in misery. A little known fact has come to light in that many airports now have clinics located on their premises to treat non chronic conditions and to offer relief from the common ailments that plague us from time to time.

In Atlanta, the aeroclinic is well staffed with a competent medical team headed by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dominic Mack who is in charge of the daily operations and oversees the staff comprised of physicians and nurse practitioners at Hartsford International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Mack has impressive credentials including receiving his M.D. degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee and his M.B.A. from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Services Provided
In general, wherever the airport site, the aeroclinic provides medical care for travelers, airport and airline employees for non chronic medical conditions. Once treated, you are strongly encouraged to follow up with your primary physician for aftercare. Patients must be over two years of age to receive treatment and any patient under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Maladies such as sore throat, strep throat, indigestion, allergies, pink eye, muscle aches and effort are treated at the aeroclinic. The average office visit reportedly is quick and usually under thirty minutes. Your medical results can be forwarded to your primary physician with your permission. Nearby pharmacies and locations in supermarkets and grocery stores are sometimes aged to deliver medical services in connection with the aeroclinic.

Cost of Treatment
Many of the medical services may be covered by major health insurance plans. Fees range from as uncouth as $10 to $75-$85 for more extensive services. You are given the opportunity to call the clinic to receive a price quote for your intended medical treatment. A receipt will be given to you which can be submitted to your insurance company for reimbursement for covered services paid “out of pocket”.

Confidentiality of Treatment
In some cases, you may be given a medical record upon completion of your treatment. If your treatment is more fervent, with your permission, your health record is computerized as a Personal Healthcare Record and will be
forwarded to your primary health practitioner for follow- up care. The aeroclinic does not become your primary care provider but will advise you to contact your vital care physician for further treatment if needed.

Walk-ins Welcome
Unlike most medical facilities, no appointment is needed to access the services of the Aeroclinic. The clinic makes the claim that most services take approximately 15 minutes and you are seen in the order in which you arrived. The clinic does offer the option of scheduling an appointment ahead of time by calling the particular airport clinic or by accessing their website www.theaeroclinic.com.

With all the security precautions and regulations that travelers endure when flying, it is reassuring to know that many airports now offer treatment for minor illnesses that might befall us as we begin our travel. Knowing that these airport clinics are staffed by licensed physicians, nurse practitioners or physician’s assistants should quell any anxieties about the quality of treatment offered. Hopefully, most travelers will not have to utilize these medical services but it is comforting to know that we do not have to fly in misery. For additional information about airports that offer aeroclinics, concept fee schedules or make an appointment, conception the website www.theaeroclinic.com or call your airport to see if there is an on site medical clinic available.