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Summary

An Urgent-care center is a free-standing clinic which provides emergency medical care for situations which are not so severe that an Emergency Room is a better option. 

Urgent-care centers can act as an alternative to a family doctor as well as to an emergency room. They are a step-up from Retail and Company clinics. They are good for such needs as minor injuries, minor burns and for treatment of minor infections.

According to Consumer Reports on Health, it may be best to use an urgent-care center which is affiliated with a hospital, ideally the same hospital your primary-care doctor is affiliated with. The affiliation makes for more accountability. It also makes it easier to get a record of the visit to your doctor. We add that if your situation relates to your underlying health condition, consider using an urgent-care center which is affiliated with a hospital that is the same one your specialist treating your condition is connected with.

For additional information, see:

NOTE:

  • When you receive any medical care, always be sure your primary doctor is informed of the reason for the visit and the result, such as receiving a new prescription.
  • If your situation does not require an urgent-care center, consider a retail clinic. (See "To Learn More.")
  • If no urgent-care centers are nearby, go to the Emergency Room. (See "To Learn More.")

What An Urgent-Care Center Is

An Urgent-care center is a free-standing clinic which provides emergency medical care for situations which are not so severe that an Emergency Room is a better option. .

Urgent-care centers can act as an alternative to a family doctor as well as to an emergency room. They are a step-up from Retail and Company clinics. They are good for such needs as minor injuries, minor burns and for treatment of minor infections.

Urgent-Care centers do not have the same equipment, facilities or depth of professional expertise as an emergency room of a hospital

Following are the basic characteristics of an Urgent-care center:

  • Staffed by doctors.The doctors who work in Urgent-care centers must be licensed like other doctors. However, as a general matter, Urgent-care clinics are not licensed or regulated by states.
  • No appointment is necessary. Wait times are generally short.
  • Hours are usually extended into the evening and include weekends.
  • Charges are a fraction of typical emergency room charges. Some even offer discounts and payment plans for people who are uninsured.
  • Most centers accept health insurance. Co-pays may be less for people who have health insurance.
  • Often located in a mall or other retail center.
  • Quality and amount of equipment varies.
  • There is no national standard for Urgent-care centers.
    • The Joint Commission ("JCAHO"- the nonprofit group that accredits hospitals and other health-care organizations) rates quality of urgent care centers under the heading of "Ambulatory Care." Type in your zip code at: www.qualitycheck.org/consumer/searchQCR.aspx offsite link
    • You can also check the quality of the doctor at the Urgent-care center. See Survivorship A to Z's document: "How To Choose A Primary Care Doctor"

Urgent-care centers do not provide follow-up care. (See your primary care doctor).

To Learn More

What An Urgent-Care Center Is Good For - And Not Good For

According to Consumer Reports On Health: Go to an Urgent-Care Center for acute problems, including those that are beyond the scope of a retail clinic, when you cannot get an appointment to see your primary-care doctor. Some examples of when to go include:

  • Sprains
  • Minor burns
  • Cuts requiring stitches
  • A suspected broken bone
  • A minor asthma attack
  • Less serious problems

An Urgent-Care Center is not appropriate for life threatening or serious emergencies. For such emergencies, go to an emergency room.

How To Find A Nearby Urgent-Care Center

Following are alternatives for finding an Urgent-Care center near you: