Health care in the United States is expensive, and that’s why you have health insurance. But there are many different health insurance plans, and every doctor or clinic or hospital does not accept every plan. If you get care from a provider who does not accept your health insurance plan, your insurance company might refuse to pay any part of the cost, and you might have to pay the bill yourself.
MIT Medical only accepts MIT insurance. If you have an MIT health plan, you can use most services at MIT Medical, including the Urgent Care Service. But if you don’t have MIT insurance, and you come to Urgent Care, you might have to pay the whole bill yourself. For example, if you visit Urgent Care without MIT insurance for a strep throat, it will probably cost around $215. A sprained ankle could cost about $380.
You may need to see a doctor or nurse practitioner. You can’t take care of every problem at home. Maybe you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), vomiting or dehydration, a severe sore throat or cough, or a strained ankle or wrist—not an emergency, but not something that can wait very long. When you have an urgent medical problem that needs immediate attention, a walk-in clinic might be your best choice.
Urgent care walk-in clinics
Cambridge has several walk-in clinics that provide care without an appointment. You can call or visit a clinic’s website before you go. Ask if they accept your health insurance plan, make sure they provide the services you need, and find out when they are open. These clinics can take care of minor illnesses and injuries. Some also provide vaccines, on-site lab tests, and even X-ray services. Some will see children; others will not. Note: This listing is for informational purposes only; MIT Medical does not endorse any of these providers.
- CVS MinuteClinic
36 White Street
Cambridge, MA 02140
866-389-2727
Directions to CVS Minute Clinic - CareWell Urgent Care
1400 Cambridge Street (at Inman Square)
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-714-4534
Directions to Carewell Urgent Care - Mt. Auburn Hospital Walk-in Clinic
30 Mount Auburn Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-499-5065
Directions to Mt. Auburn Hospital Walk-in Clinic - Massachusetts General Hospital Medical Walk-in Unit
Wang Ambulatory Care Center
15 Parkman Street, Suite 108
Boston, MA 02114
617-726-2707
Directions to Massachusetts General Hospital Medical Walk-in Unit
Hospital emergency rooms
Hospital emergency rooms are another option. Hospital emergency rooms are open 24 hours a day, every day. They will see patients of any age and can treat most illnesses and injuries. Even if the hospital accepts your insurance, a visit to the emergency room will be more expensive than a visit to a walk-in clinic. But you should always go to an emergency room or call 911 if you have a very serious medical problem such as trouble breathing, fainting, seizures, heavy bleeding, broken bones or deep wounds, serious burns, possible poisoning or overdose, or severe allergic reactions.
- Mt. Auburn Hospital
330 Mount Auburn Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-499-5025
Directions to Mt. Auburn Hospital - Massachusetts General Hospital
55 Fruit Street
Boston, MA 02114
617-726-2000
Directions to Massachusetts General Hospital - Cambridge Hospital/Cambridge Health Alliance
1493 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA, 02139
617-665-1000
Directions to Cambridge Hospital/Cambridge Health Alliance - Boston’s Children’s Hospital
300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA, 02115
617-355-6000
Directions to Boston’s Children’s Hospital
Medications and prescriptions
Even if you don’t have MIT health insurance, you can come to the MIT Pharmacy on the first floor of MIT Medical to buy over-the-counter medications and health products at discounted prices.
You can get prescription medication from the MIT Medical Pharmacy only if the prescription is from a doctor or nurse practitioner at MIT Medical (or, if you have a referral from an MIT Medical PCP).
If you have the MIT Affiliate Extended Insurance Plan, the MIT Student Extended Insurance Plan, or one of the MIT employee health plans, you’ll have a copay for prescriptions at the MIT Pharmacy.
If you don’t have an MIT health plan, you will probably have to pay full price for prescriptions at the MIT Pharmacy, and then fill out a form that you can get from your insurance company to ask them to pay part of the cost. If your prescription is from a doctor or nurse practitioner outside of MIT Medical, you can’t fill that prescription at the MIT Pharmacy. Read more about medications and prescriptions.
Find a local pharmacy
Cambridge has many local pharmacies that can fill prescriptions. You can call the pharmacy to find out if they accept your health insurance plan and find out when they are open.
- Inman Pharmacy
1414 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-876-4868
Directions to Inman Pharmacy - CVS (Central Square)
624 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-876-7868
Directions to CVS (Central Square) - Walgreens Pharmacy (Central Square)
625 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-491-8157
Directions to Walgreens Pharmacy (Central Square) - CVS (near Charles Street T station)
155 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114
617-523-1028
Directions to CVS near Charles Street T station) - CVS (near MGH)
191 Cambridge Street, Charles River Plaza
Boston, MA 02114
617-367-0441
Directions to CVS (near MGH)
