There are over 9,000 urgent care centers and community health clinics across the country, making it easier for Americans to find affordable, fast health care. Here are five reasons why urgent care clinics may be changing the way the world sees health care.
- Extended Hours:
A national survey found that over two-thirds of walk in medical clinic are open before 9:00 am during the week. Many facilities remain open until 7:00 pm or later. Nearly half of centers are open on Saturdays and nearly a third are open on Sundays.
- Top Priority Care:
Many community health clinics can examine and prescribe treatment for patients in less than an hour with average wait times of less than 20 minutes; just 28% of centers have wait times between 21 and 40 minutes with only 3% that have an average wait time exceeding 40 minutes.
- A More Economical Option:
Many of those without health insurance hesitate to visit an ER because of the fees. Studies have found that urgent care centers can cost anywhere from $228 to $583 less than the emergency room for the same diagnosis.
- Trusted Experience:
Most of the nation’s urgent care centers have trained medical staff on hand at all times; up to 95% of centers have physicians on-hand during operating hours. About 61% of centers have been in operation for over five years and approximately 40% have been open for nine or more years.
- Advanced Levels of Care:
Many people have this misconception that urgent care centers are poorly equipped or maintained. In fact, seven out of ten centers have the experience and equipment to deliver intravenous fluids as necessary. Nearly half of urgent care centers are able to provide prescription pharmaceuticals that have been pre-packaged to deliver a full treatment in office rather than need deal with pharmacies.
Community health clinics are becoming one of the most popular ways to find total health care without the need for a primary physician, insurance, or a pricey emergency room stay.
