Feeling Your Heart Race but Not Anxious? A Guide to Your Next Healthcare Steps in Houston, TX

It’s unsettling when your heart races and you don’t feel anxious or stressed. You might be wondering if it’s your coffee, lifestyle, or something more serious affecting your heart. It’s perfectly natural to want answers, and understanding what’s going on is an important step toward peace of mind and good health.

This post is designed to guide you through what your symptoms could mean, who you should consider seeing first, and what the initial healthcare costs might look like in Houston, TX. You’re in the right place to get clear, practical next steps and cost transparency that helps you plan your care.

Who to See for Your Symptoms in Houston, TX

Based on your symptoms of heart racing without anxiety, here are some types of healthcare providers who can help you figure out what’s going on and what to do next:

• Family Practice: General doctors who treat a wide range of conditions and can do initial assessments to decide if further tests or specialists are needed. They’re a great first step.
• Internal Medicine: Doctors focused on adult medicine who can diagnose and manage complex or chronic conditions related to your heart or overall health.
• Cardiology: Specialists who focus specifically on heart health. They can perform detailed tests and treatments if your heart racing is related to a cardiac issue.
• Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology: Heart rhythm specialists trained to diagnose and treat electrical problems of the heart that might cause your symptoms.
• Psychiatry: Experts in mental health who can evaluate if your symptoms might be related to emotional or behavioral causes, even without obvious anxiety.

What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs

Here’s what you might expect when you visit these providers in Houston, TX, along with typical self-pay costs based on local data.

Visit with a Family Practice Doctor

• Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
  Purpose: This is a comprehensive visit where the doctor will listen to your concerns, check your vital signs, and decide what tests or referrals you might need.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $195.94 (typically ranges from $146.95 to $244.92)
  This estimate is based on 511 providers in Houston, TX.

• Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) using at least 12 leads with interpretation and report (CPT Code: 93000)
  Purpose: An ECG is a quick and painless test that records your heart’s electrical activity to help detect abnormal rhythms or heart conditions.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $29.43 (typically ranges from $17.44 to $41.42)
  This estimate is based on 108 providers.

• Procedure: Annual depression screening, 5 to 15 minutes (CPT Code: G0444)
  Purpose: Screening for depression or related emotional concerns that might contribute to your symptoms.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $28.53 (typically ranges from $21.40 to $35.66)
  This estimate is based on 91 providers.

• Procedure: Blood test, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (CPT Code: 84443)
  Purpose: Measures thyroid function, as thyroid issues can affect your heart rate and energy levels.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $31.27 (typically ranges from $19.70 to $42.84)
  This estimate is based on 50 providers.

Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor

• Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
  Purpose: Similar to family practice but focused on adult medicine and managing complex health issues.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $194.75 (typically ranges from $146.06 to $243.44)
  This estimate is based on 492 providers.

• Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) with interpretation and report (CPT Code: 93000)
  Purpose: Heart electrical activity test to check for rhythm problems or signs of heart disease.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $29.02 (ranges from $17.41 to $40.63)
  This estimate is based on 159 providers.

• Procedure: Annual depression screening, 5 to 15 minutes (CPT Code: G0444)
  Purpose: Checking for depression that might impact your health and heart rate.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $29.57 (ranges from $22.18 to $36.96)
  This estimate is based on 82 providers.

Visit with a Cardiologist

• Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
  Purpose: A focused visit to examine your heart function and symptoms in detail.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $194.50 (ranges from $145.87 to $243.12)
  This estimate is based on 248 providers.

• Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) with interpretation and report (CPT Code: 93000)
  Purpose: Checking your heart’s rhythm and electrical signals for abnormalities.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $36.37 (ranges from $17.29 to $55.44)
  This estimate is based on 208 providers.

• Procedure: Heart rhythm recording over 48 hours to 7 days (CPT Code: 93241)
  Purpose: Detailed monitoring to capture intermittent heart rhythm problems that a short ECG might miss.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $437.97 (ranges from $313.93 to $562.01)
  This estimate is based on 21 providers.

• Procedure: Ultrasound of heart with color blood flow (CPT Code: 93306)
  Purpose: Detailed ultrasound to look at heart valves and blood flow, identifying structural or functional heart problems.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $263.87 (ranges from $123.83 to $403.92)
  This estimate is based on 225 providers.

Visit with a Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist

• Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
  Purpose: Specialized visit focusing on heart rhythm problems specifically.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $201.65 (ranges from $151.24 to $252.06)
  This estimate is based on 28 providers.

• Procedure: Routine ECG with interpretation (CPT Code: 93000)
  Purpose: Initial heart rhythm test to begin assessment.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $36.37 (ranges from $17.05 to $55.70)
  This estimate is based on 28 providers.

• Procedure: Heart ultrasound with color blood flow (CPT Code: 93306)
  Purpose: More detailed analysis of heart structure and blood flow relevant to rhythm problems.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $319.88 (ranges from $155.48 to $484.27)
  This estimate is based on 8 providers.

Visit with a Psychiatrist

• Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
  Purpose: Assessment to understand if symptoms may be linked to underlying mental health causes beyond obvious anxiety.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $181.33 (ranges from $136.00 to $226.66)
  This estimate is based on 101 providers.

• Procedure: Psychotherapy, 45 minutes (CPT Code: 90834)
  Purpose: If emotional or behavioral factors are involved, therapy can help address these contributors.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $150.93 (ranges from $113.20 to $188.66)
  This estimate is based on 3 providers.

• Procedure: Routine ECG with tracing (CPT Code: 93005)
  Purpose: Less common from psychiatry, but available to check heart rhythm if indicated.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.29 (ranges from $7.79 to $16.80)
  This estimate is based on 2 providers.

How to Interpret the Cost Estimates

Think of healthcare prices a bit like shopping in a market where prices can vary widely depending on where and how you buy. The costs listed above reflect this variation:

• The maximum cost you see is just under what providers typically “charge” for a procedure. This is akin to the sticker price before any negotiation—you might pay close to this if paying cash without discounts.
• The minimum cost is slightly above what Medicare (the government health program) has negotiated with providers to pay for the same services. At this lower price, providers might just break even or even lose money.

Knowing this helps you understand why prices vary and why it’s important to ask about the price upfront.

Know Your Rights

You have important rights when it comes to medical billing:

• Good Faith Estimate (GFE): If you aren’t using insurance, your provider is legally required to give you a GFE of expected charges if you ask or schedule services at least 3 business days ahead. This helps you plan and avoid surprises.
• Many providers offer self-pay discounts if you ask in advance. It’s perfectly okay to inquire: “What’s the cash price if I pay upfront?”
• You also have the right to request a detailed, itemized bill to check if anything looks wrong. You can ask for CPT codes and billing details.
• Several states have protections against unfair billing practices, especially if you don’t have insurance. Don’t hesitate to dispute charges that seem incorrect or excessive.

Your Recommended Next Steps

The best way to move forward is to take action with a healthcare professional:

1. Schedule an Appointment: Contact a Family Practice doctor or an Internal Medicine provider in Houston to start. They can help evaluate your symptoms and decide if you need a specialist.
2. Prepare for Your Visit: Write down when your heart races, what triggers it (or doesn’t), and any other symptoms. Jot down your questions so you don’t forget during the appointment.
3. Discuss Costs Before Your Visit: Call the provider’s office and ask about estimated costs and discounts. Use the estimates here as a guide for what to expect.
4. Remember: Seeking professional care is a positive, empowering step. You deserve clear answers and peace of mind about your health.

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.

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding symptoms or health concerns.