Why Go To An Urgent Care?

If you get hurt after 5 p.m. or during a weekend, you would ordinarily have to wait to see your doctor. When you can't wait, urgent care clinics are there to serve your needs. Here are four reasons to seek medical treatment at an urgent care clinic the next time you need help: 

1. Your insurance will likely cover the cost of the visit.

Most health insurance plans cover the cost of urgent care visits. If you're lucky, the entire cost of your visit will be covered, but even if you need to pay a copay, the cost will be significantly reduced. Insurance companies tend to encourage policy holders to visit urgent care clinics instead of hospitals because of the reduced costs to the insurance companies. Most urgent care clinics accept all major insurance carriers.

2. You will receive faster service.

The emergency room at hospitals are typically very busy. People seek medical care at hospitals when their normal doctor's office is closed; in some cases, people who don't have a primary care physician may visit the hospital for ordinary health needs. People at the ER are seen in the order of their arrival and according to their need. If you are not facing a life-threatening emergency, you could be waiting to see a doctor for hours. Urgent care clinics are typically less busy, so you will be able to see a doctor sooner. You can even schedule an appointment ahead of time, so you don't have to wait in the waiting room.

3. You will save emergency services for people who really need it.

The emergency room is meant to be a place where people with life-threatening conditions can attain immediate medical care. If you have a problem that needs to be addressed at once but isn't life-threatening, you would be better served at an urgent care clinic. You can help other people get the emergency care they need by avoiding the ER unless you have a serious medical concern.

4. You will save money.

Hospital bills are often thousands of dollars, even for an outpatient visit. If you don't need to visit the ER, you can save money by seeing a doctor at an urgent care clinic instead. According to Debt.org, the average visit to an urgent care clinic costs between $100 to $150 dollars, even without insurance. You can stay out of debt and protect your financial future by seeking care at one of these locations.

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