Question 1

How much does a travel medicine consultation cost?

Accepted Answer

A travel medicine consultation on OpenDoc costs $150–$350, which includes a destination-specific risk assessment, vaccine recommendations, and prescriptions for malaria prophylaxis or traveler's diarrhea if needed. Vaccine costs are additional and range from $50–$350 each depending on the vaccine (e.g., yellow fever, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis).

Question 2

Do I need a referral to see an infectious disease doctor?

Accepted Answer

No referral is needed on OpenDoc. Cash-pay patients can book directly with an infectious disease specialist. This is particularly valuable for travel medicine, where timing matters, and for HIV/PrEP services where patients prefer direct, confidential access.

Question 3

How much does PrEP cost without insurance?

Accepted Answer

A PrEP consultation on OpenDoc costs $150–$300. The medication itself (generic Truvada/emtricitabine-tenofovir) costs approximately $30–$60/month through discount pharmacies with GoodRx or manufacturer programs. Required quarterly monitoring labs (HIV test, kidney function, STI screening) cost $100–$250 cash-pay on OpenDoc.

Question 4

How far in advance should I see a travel medicine doctor?

Accepted Answer

Ideally 4–6 weeks before international travel, as some vaccine series require multiple doses spaced weeks apart (e.g., hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies). However, even a same-week visit is valuable — single-dose vaccines like yellow fever and typhoid provide rapid protection, and malaria prophylaxis can be prescribed at any time before travel.

Question 5

What is the difference between an infectious disease doctor and my primary care doctor for infections?

Accepted Answer

Infectious disease specialists complete an additional 2-year fellowship after internal medicine residency, focusing on complex, resistant, or unusual infections. They manage conditions like MRSA, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, and fungal infections where antibiotic selection, duration, and monitoring require specialized expertise that goes beyond primary care scope.

Question 6

Can I get TB testing on OpenDoc?

Accepted Answer

Yes. OpenDoc offers both the TB skin test (PPD) for $25–$75 and the QuantiFERON Gold blood test for $75–$200. The blood test is preferred for people who received the BCG vaccine (common outside the US) because it won't give a false positive. Results are typically available within 1–3 days for the blood test.

Question 7

What should I do after a needle stick exposure?

Accepted Answer

Seek evaluation within 24 hours. An infectious disease specialist will assess the risk based on the source, type of exposure, and your vaccination status. Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV (PEP) must begin within 72 hours to be effective. On OpenDoc, post-exposure evaluations cost $175–$400 and include risk assessment, baseline labs, and PEP prescribing if indicated.

Question 8

How much does HIV management cost out of pocket?

Accepted Answer

Routine HIV management visits on OpenDoc cost $150–$350 per visit, typically scheduled every 3–6 months. Required monitoring labs (viral load, CD4 count, metabolic panel) add $100–$300 per visit. Antiretroviral medications are the largest cost, but manufacturer assistance programs cover most patients regardless of insurance status.

Infectious Disease

Pricing methodology

Common services and estimated pricing