Blog

- OCTOBER 17, 2026
DOT Medical Card in Virginia: CDL Physical Guide
Most Virginia CDL drivers who operate in non-excepted interstate or intrastate commerce need a DOT medical examiner’s certificate (medical card) from an examiner listed on FMCSA’s National Registry. Since May 5, 2025, Virginia DMV no longer accepts medical certificates submitted by drivers. Certified examiners send results electronically through the National Registry. PACS offers walk-in DOT physicals with same-day certificates. The self-pay visit price is $129.
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- PACS Urgent Care Team
- Urgent Care Guides
- OCTOBER 17, 2026
Virginia School Entrance Health Form (MCH 213G): A Parent’s Guide
Virginia requires a comprehensive physical exam for children entering public kindergarten or elementary school for the first time, completed within 12 months before school entry. It’s documented on the School Entrance Health Form (MCH 213G), which has three parts: health history (completed by the parent), immunization certification, and the physical exam report. A licensed physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant can complete it, including at a walk-in clinic like PACS.
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- PACS Urgent Care Team
- Urgent Care Guides
- OCTOBER 17, 2026
Using Virginia Medicaid (Cardinal Care) at Urgent Care
Yes, most Virginia Medicaid members can use urgent care for same-day illnesses and injuries. Virginia Medicaid is called Cardinal Care, and most members get benefits through one of five managed care health plans: Aetna Better Health of Virginia, Anthem HealthKeepers Plus, Humana Healthy Horizons in Virginia, Sentara Health Plans and UnitedHealthcare. PACS Urgent Care participates with Medicaid and several of these plans. Call (571) 656-8838 to confirm your plan before your visit.
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- PACS Urgent Care Team
- Urgent Care Guides
- OCTOBER 17, 2026
Rapid Flu Test: How It Works, Accuracy & When to Get One
A rapid flu test uses a quick nasal swab to check for influenza A and B, with results during your visit, often in about 15 minutes. Testing is most useful in the first 48 hours of symptoms, when a positive result can lead to antiviral treatment. Rapid tests can miss some cases, so your provider may still diagnose flu based on symptoms. At PACS Urgent Care, each self-pay rapid test is $45 plus the visit.
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- PACS Urgent Care Team
- Urgent Care Guides

- OCTOBER 17, 2026
Back-to-School Checklist: Physicals, Sports Forms & Health Tips
Before school starts in Virginia, check whether your child needs a school entry physical, a sports physical, updated vaccine records, and medication forms for school. PACS Urgent Care in Alexandria offers walk-in school and sports physicals 7 days a week, with forms completed on the spot. Self-pay prices are $95 for a school physical and $55 for a sports or camp physical.
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- PACS Urgent Care Team
- Urgent Care Guides
- OCTOBER 17, 2026
Heat Exhaustion in the DC Area: Signs, First Aid & When to Get Care
Heat exhaustion causes heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea and cool, clammy skin. Move to a cool place, drink water and rest. If you don’t feel better within an hour, or you can’t keep fluids down, go to urgent care for evaluation and IV fluids. Heat stroke is an emergency: call 911 for a body temperature of 103°F or higher, confusion, fainting, or hot skin with little sweating.
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- PACS Urgent Care Team
- Urgent Care Guides
- OCTOBER 17, 2026
Allergy Season in Northern Virginia: When to See Urgent Care
Northern Virginia has a long allergy season: tree pollen peaks in spring (roughly March to May), grass pollen in late spring and early summer, and ragweed in late summer and fall (roughly August to October). Most seasonal allergies can be managed with over-the-counter medicines. See urgent care if symptoms aren’t controlled, you develop sinus pain or fever, or allergies trigger wheezing or asthma. Call 911 for swelling of the face or throat or trouble breathing.
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- PACS Urgent Care Team
- Urgent Care Guides
- OCTOBER 17, 2026
Urgent Care FAQ: Blood Work, Referrals, Prescriptions & Who Treats You
Urgent care can do blood work, rapid tests, X-rays and EKGs, write prescriptions, give work and school notes, and refer you to specialists. At PACS Urgent Care in Alexandria, every visit is led by board-certified physicians and physician assistants, walk-ins are welcome 7 days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM, and most major insurance plans are accepted.
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- PACS Urgent Care Team
- Urgent Care Guides