Benefits of Urgent Care
Unlike emergency rooms, urgent care facilities provide care to people with medical conditions that need immediate attention but aren’t life-threatening. Many insurance companies encourage their members to use urgent care facilities when possible, because of the lower cost and to help ease the burden on emergency rooms.
Most urgent care centers do not take appointments and are open late and on weekends. They offer emergency services, including evaluation and treatment of non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries for children through geriatric patients.
Some urgent care facilities even offer routine preventive care without an appointment, such as vaccines and blood work. If you’re visiting an urgent care clinic, make sure to bring any paperwork or legal documents that may be helpful in the diagnosis of your illness or injury.
When choosing an urgent care facility, be sure to check with your insurer and make sure that the center is within your network. This will ensure that you receive the best possible care for your medical issue.
Compared to the ER, urgent care centers are less expensive and have shorter wait times. They also offer a variety of services, such as x-ray imaging, lab tests and minor orthopedic procedures.
The best part about urgent care is that it is available for all walks of life and offers a wide range of treatment options. They are staffed with expert physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who can handle everything from minor ailments to complex health issues.