How To Use an Urgent Care Facility

Everyone has experienced frustration when attempting to obtain immediate care for a medical problem.  Patients will usually attempt to see their primary care physicians (PCPs) for most medical problems, but overloaded appointment schedules and problems occurring outside of regular office hours can sometimes delay care for hours or even days.  Hospital emergency rooms (ERs) provide round-the-clock care, but ERs are usually crowded and have long and unpredictable wait times.  Urgent cares clinics fill the gap between PCPs and ERs by providing basic patient care in a health clinic setting.  However, patients should keep in mind certain things when deciding to utilize urgent care facilities.

First, and most importantly, patients need to determine whether they need immediate care or emergency care.  True medical emergencies such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, and stroke-like symptoms cannot be treated at an urgent care clinic.  Also, any patient with a serious traumatic injury should not be taken to an urgent care clinic.  Serious bleeding, suspected brain injuries (concussions or any loss of consciousness), and major fractures - that is, anything that would require a hard cast - require the services of an ER.  If there is any question about whether a problem is an emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.

Second, patients should determine what an urgent care clinic can provide.  Most will provide treatment for cold and flu-like symptoms, ear and eye infections, minor burns and lacerations, and minor sprains and strains.  Urgent care clinics also provide convenient services such as x-rays, drug screens, vaccinations and children’s sports physicals.  Patients should check the urgent care clinic's website or call in advance to see if their medical problem can be treated there.

Third, patients should determine whether their medical insurance will cover urgent care charges.  Fortunately, most all insurances recognize the value of urgent care clinics.  They price their co-pays for an urgent care visit slightly higher than that of a PCP office visit but significantly lower than an ER visit.  Patients can check with their insurance provider or the urgent care clinic to determine if they are covered and what their co-pay will be.

Finally, patients should determine the potential wait time in an urgent care clinic.  Unlike an ER, where patients are treated based on severity, urgent care clinics treat on a first-come, first-served basis.  During certain times of the year, such as the beginning of the school year, an urgent care clinic may not be the ideal place to seek medical care.  Patients can contact the urgent care clinic to get an estimated wait time.  Many urgent care clinics now have online scheduling that allows patients to schedule their appointment from home, so they can arrive just before their appointment and avoid any extra time in the waiting room.