Signs of Concussion After Fall? Your Miami Guide to Finding Care

concussionhead injuryMiamihealthcare costsneurologyfamily practiceinternal medicineemergency medicine

Signs of Concussion After Fall? Your Miami Guide to Finding Care

If you recently fell and hit your head during a ride, it’s completely natural to feel concerned, especially if you’re now experiencing a slight headache and feeling a bit groggy—even without having lost consciousness. These can be signs of a concussion, and knowing the right steps to take can help you get the care you need quickly and responsibly.

This post is here to guide you through understanding possible next steps after a head injury, which healthcare providers you might consider seeing, and what initial care could cost in Miami, FL. You’re in the right place to find clear, helpful information so you can take confident action.

Who to See for Your Symptoms in Miami

Based on your symptoms and concern about a potential concussion, a few types of doctors can be good first stops:

  • Family Practice Doctor: A generalist who can evaluate your headache, grogginess, and any other symptoms. They can diagnose many conditions and refer you for specialized care if needed.
  • Internal Medicine Doctor: Similar to family doctors but focused on adult medicine, they can assess your condition and help determine if further tests or specialist visits are necessary.
  • Neurologist: A specialist who focuses on nervous system issues including the brain. If your symptoms persist or worsen, a neurologist can offer more detailed exams and specialized testing.
  • Emergency Medicine Physician: If your symptoms worsen rapidly, or you experience severe headache, vomiting, vision changes, confusion, or unusual behavior, visiting an ER might be necessary for urgent evaluation.

What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs

Visit with a Family Practice Doctor

  • Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)

  • Purpose: This visit allows your doctor to evaluate your symptoms in detail, examine you thoroughly, and decide if additional tests or referrals are needed.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost in Miami: $205.22 (typically ranges from $153.91 to $256.52)

  • Provider Availability: This estimate is based on 306 family practice providers in Miami.

  • Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) using at least 12 leads (CPT Code: 93000)

  • Purpose: Sometimes, doctors check your heart’s electrical activity if dizziness or fainting is a concern after a fall.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost in Miami: $36.38 (range: $18.36 to $54.41)

  • Provider Availability: 67 providers offer this test.

  • Procedure: Blood draw (CPT Code: 36415)

  • Purpose: Blood tests may be ordered to check for any underlying issues or to monitor your overall health if needed.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost in Miami: $12.61 (range: $9.46 to $15.76)

  • Provider Availability: 125 providers.

Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor

  • Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)

  • Purpose: An internal medicine physician can review your symptoms comprehensively, rule out other conditions, and guide next steps in head injury care.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost in Miami: $208.26 (range: $156.19 to $260.32)

  • Provider Availability: 464 providers.

  • Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) (CPT Code: 93000)

  • Purpose: Optional heart monitoring during your evaluation, depending on symptoms.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost in Miami: $32.34 (range: $18.58 to $46.11)

  • Provider Availability: 148 providers.

Visit with a Neurologist

  • Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)

  • Purpose: Neurologists provide specialized brain and nervous system evaluations, ideal if your symptoms last or worsen.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost in Miami: $217.82 (range: $153.58 to $282.06)

  • Provider Availability: 125 providers.

  • Procedure: Measurement of brain wave activity (EEG), awake and asleep (CPT Code: 95819)

  • Purpose: This test checks electrical activity in your brain to detect any abnormalities after your head injury.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost in Miami: $586.09 (range: $350.76 to $821.42)

  • Provider Availability: 37 providers.

  • Procedure: Ultrasound of brain blood flow (CPT Code: 93886)

  • Purpose: An ultrasound may be used to assess blood flow in the brain if vascular injury is suspected.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost in Miami: $353.30 (range: $232.07 to $474.54)

  • Provider Availability: 6 providers.

Visit with an Emergency Medicine Physician

  • Procedure: Emergency department visit with high-level medical decision making (CPT Code: 99285)

  • Purpose: For urgent evaluation if symptoms suddenly worsen or new concerning signs develop (severe headache, vomiting, confusion).

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost in Miami: $710.24 (range: $226.86 to $1193.62)

  • Provider Availability: 362 providers.

  • Procedure: X-ray of chest, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)

  • Purpose: If trauma is suspected beyond just the head, this test checks for chest injury.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost in Miami: $59.01 (range: $42.32 to $75.69)

  • Provider Availability: 4 providers.

  • Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) (CPT Code: 93010)

  • Purpose: Monitoring your heart’s status during emergency care.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost in Miami: $39.65 (range: $10.04 to $69.26)

  • Provider Availability: 141 providers.

How to Interpret the Cost Estimates

Healthcare prices in the U.S. can feel like a marketplace where providers set different prices like shops do for goods, sometimes leaving patients unsure what to expect.

  • Maximum Cost: The higher end of the range is generally the “billed” or “charged” amount providers ask for a procedure. It’s somewhat like the sticker price, where some negotiation or insurance adjustments will bring it down.
  • Minimum Cost: The lower end tends to be just above the amount Medicare negotiates providers to accept. At this price, providers often break even or might even take a loss, so it’s a realistic baseline for what you might pay out of pocket.

Understanding this range helps you prepare financially and know that you have room to ask questions about pricing with providers.

Know Your Rights

If you’re paying out of pocket (self-pay), you have important protections:

  • Good Faith Estimate (GFE): Legally, any provider must give you a GFE of expected costs if you ask or schedule services at least 3 business days ahead. This helps you avoid surprise bills.
  • Self-Pay Discounts: Many providers offer discounts if you pay upfront or do not use insurance. It never hurts to ask: “What’s the cash price if I pay at the time of the visit?”
  • Itemized Bills and Billing Questions: You can request detailed bills and question any charges that seem incorrect or duplicated. You’re entitled to get CPT codes and understand what you’re being billed for.
  • Many states have laws preventing unfair (“unconscionable”) bills, especially for uninsured patients, so don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself.

The best and most important step is to schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional who can assess your symptoms in person.

  • Schedule an Appointment: Contact a Family Practice doctor, Internal Medicine physician, or Neurologist in Miami to discuss your symptoms and have a thorough exam.
  • Prepare for Your Visit: Write down all your current symptoms, when they started, any recent changes, and questions you want to ask.
  • Discuss Costs: When booking your appointment, confirm what the visit and any tests might cost based on your payment method. The estimates here are typical but may vary.
  • Final Reassurance: It’s a positive and responsible choice to seek medical advice. Catching a concussion early ensures the best care and recovery.

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 informational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you experience worsening symptoms or emergencies, please seek immediate medical attention.