Urgent care was created as a middle ground, available for illnesses and injuries that need immediate attention, but don’t require hospitalization or a trip to the emergency room. Those who have not taken advantage of urgent care in the past will want to make sure they understand what to expect and what will and won’t happen at urgent care. This can help them feel a little more relaxed, instead of stressed, about the visit. Before heading to urgent care for the first time, it’s important to know the following.
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Know the Cost – Especially Without Insurance
Whether you’re feeling sick or you’re injured, medical attention can help you feel better faster. Before going to urgent care, however, it’s a good idea to consider the cost. Those with insurance may want to look for an urgent care center that will accept their insurance and is nearby. If there isn’t one nearby or the person doesn’t have insurance, it is a good idea to look into the urgent care cost without insurance. This helps determine what will need to be paid at the time of the visit, so it’s easier to budget for it. If necessary, call the clinic before heading there to learn about what types of insurance they take or what their typical fees are for a visit. Many are affordable even without insurance, making them a great option for those who do need to pay with cash.
Make Sure Urgent Care is the Right Option
Urgent care may not always be the right answer. Though it’s a perfect option for illnesses and injuries that require fast attention, it’s not the right option for emergencies that will require hospitalization or emergency care. If it’s something that the patient should call emergency services for, it’s better to go to the emergency room. Sprained ankles, broken bones, cuts, bruises, the flu, COVID, and other medical issues that require fast – but not emergency – care are able to be handled at the urgent care clinic. Major blood loss, heart attacks, strokes, and other injuries or illnesses should be taken care of at an emergency room instead, as they have the personnel and equipment to handle anything.
Check the Hours
Urgent care clinics are open longer hours, so they’re perfect for illnesses and injuries that happen after the doctor’s office is closed for the day. However, even though many are open late, they are typically not open throughout the night and may not be open on weekends. It’s a good idea to check the hours before heading to an urgent care clinic. If the clinic is closed, it’s better to head to the emergency room instead, as they are open all the time. Calling the clinic ahead of time is always recommended to check the hours.
Have Everything Ready to Bring Along
Ready to go? Make sure everything is packed so that it’s easier and faster to get help. Patients or their caregivers should have a driver’s license or ID, the patient’s insurance information, and any other information that may be needed. It’s also a good idea to bring a list of medications the patient is taking, as this can make a difference in what is prescribed if they need new medications. It is also recommended to bring a list of known allergies and other pertinent medical information, as this may be hard to remember when someone isn’t feeling well.
Be Ready to Explain What’s Happening
Be prepared to explain everything that’s happening in detail so the physician on duty can get an idea of what’s wrong and what may be needed to help the patient feel better faster. If the patient is injured, they should be prepared to explain how the injury happened, what hurts, and when it hurts the most. This can help determine if anything is broken or sprained. If someone is ill, they should be ready to explain their symptoms and when they started, as this can make a difference in medications or other treatments.
Exact Care Depends on Injury or Illness
The exact care the patient will receive is going to depend on what’s wrong and what they need to help them recover. If the person is injured, for instance, they may need to have an X-ray done to see if they have a sprain or broken bone. If the patient isn’t feeling well, the physician may do some tests in-office or have tests ordered to see what’s causing the illness and what is needed for the person to feel better. The physician will base their treatment on the symptoms exhibited and provide the right care for each patient.
Understand the Limits of Urgent Care
It is important to remember that the care provided through an urgent care clinic is limited. If a person is too ill or needs more care than the clinic can provide, they may be sent to an emergency room for further care. Even if the patient is able to receive care at the urgent care clinic, these clinics are designed for fast help, not continued care. The person will likely need to follow up with their regular physician in the coming days or weeks to make sure they are getting better or healing appropriately. It is important to do any follow-up care recommended by the urgent care clinic, as the person may not get all of the help they need if they ignore remaining symptoms once they start feeling better.
Urgent care is the perfect solution when you don’t have time to wait for a doctor’s visit weeks in the future, and the injury or illness isn’t serious enough to require a visit to the emergency room. However, before going, it is a good idea to know what to expect if it’s your first visit. This way, you can feel more comfortable and relaxed while you wait to be seen. Make sure you have everything you need before heading to urgent care so they can help you as quickly as possible.