You would have been hard pressed twenty years ago to find many urgent care clinics in your area.
Today, however, they have exploded in popularity.
Some of this rise in popularity is undoubtedly due to a general dissatisfaction with the emergency room.
For those people who aren't in imminent danger of death, the ER can mean a long wait.
Because private walk-in clinics aren't meant for people with conditions that serious, every individual is taken on a first come, first served basis.
This can put the wait you experience back in your hands, something that has proven to be a successful business model across the country.
Here are some things you should know about these clinics, when to use them, and when not to.
When To Use Urgent Care A good clinic can act as an effective alternative to both your general physician and the emergency room in many cases.
As insurance companies limit your choices regarding physicians, appointment scheduling has become a nightmare in many cities.
It's not uncommon for a receptionist to tell you that the first available appointment is months away.
If you have a cold, what good will it be to wait that long? This is where a walk-in clinic can make all the difference.
Likewise, if you have a non-life threatening illness or injury, it can be an effective and fast alternative to the ER.
When The ER is Preferred While urgent care is a good alternative to the ER in many cases, there are still times where it is appropriate to dial 911 or go to the hospital.
Particularly, the ER should be preferred for any illnesses and injuries that could be considered life threatening.
This includes being bitten by an animal, experiencing chest pain of any kind not related to muscle strain, electrocution, head injury, and more.
Broken bones fall into a gray area.
Check with your local clinic to see if they accept patients who have broken a bone.
Cost Your insurance company often determines how much you will pay at any particular urgent care clinic, so you should check with them about your options and price plans.
Generally speaking, however, a trip to one of these clinics is going to cost much less than a visit to the emergency room.
If you need treatment or tests run, those costs will be separate from the visitation fee and will vary from patient to patient.
Uninsured patients should check with the clinic in their area to see if they accept patients without insurance plans.
Today, however, they have exploded in popularity.
Some of this rise in popularity is undoubtedly due to a general dissatisfaction with the emergency room.
For those people who aren't in imminent danger of death, the ER can mean a long wait.
Because private walk-in clinics aren't meant for people with conditions that serious, every individual is taken on a first come, first served basis.
This can put the wait you experience back in your hands, something that has proven to be a successful business model across the country.
Here are some things you should know about these clinics, when to use them, and when not to.
When To Use Urgent Care A good clinic can act as an effective alternative to both your general physician and the emergency room in many cases.
As insurance companies limit your choices regarding physicians, appointment scheduling has become a nightmare in many cities.
It's not uncommon for a receptionist to tell you that the first available appointment is months away.
If you have a cold, what good will it be to wait that long? This is where a walk-in clinic can make all the difference.
Likewise, if you have a non-life threatening illness or injury, it can be an effective and fast alternative to the ER.
When The ER is Preferred While urgent care is a good alternative to the ER in many cases, there are still times where it is appropriate to dial 911 or go to the hospital.
Particularly, the ER should be preferred for any illnesses and injuries that could be considered life threatening.
This includes being bitten by an animal, experiencing chest pain of any kind not related to muscle strain, electrocution, head injury, and more.
Broken bones fall into a gray area.
Check with your local clinic to see if they accept patients who have broken a bone.
Cost Your insurance company often determines how much you will pay at any particular urgent care clinic, so you should check with them about your options and price plans.
Generally speaking, however, a trip to one of these clinics is going to cost much less than a visit to the emergency room.
If you need treatment or tests run, those costs will be separate from the visitation fee and will vary from patient to patient.
Uninsured patients should check with the clinic in their area to see if they accept patients without insurance plans.