When colds, flu, COVID-19, stomach viruses, and other seasonal illnesses strike unexpectedly, you may need prompt medical attention. While your family doctor is always an option, urgent care centers offer fast and convenient service when required. If you’ve never visited an urgent care clinic before, consider the following compelling reasons to do so, ensuring you can obtain quality care quickly the next time you experience the discomfort and symptoms associated with a seasonal illness.
Affordable Even Without Insurance
If you are uninsured, seeking treatment at an medical clinic facility is typically a much less expensive option than going to a hospital emergency room for care. Most centers accept major credit cards and offer cash discounts for non-insurance patients to make medical care more attainable for everyone. Additionally, if you do have insurance, most insurers allow policy holders to receive care at an medical clinic center. Most medical clinic centers accept a variety of different types of insurance. For more specific information about the coverages offered by your insurance plan, don’t be afraid to reach out to your insurer to find out which centers will be covered and if any co-pays will apply prior to receiving services.
Open Late and On Weekends
Medical clinic centers typically have extended hours to accommodate working individuals who may not have the luxury of taking time off work for a doctor’s appointment. As such, medical clinic centers are usually open late into the evening and on the weekends, making it easier to receive the medical attention you need without having to re-arrange your work or school schedule. This is also helpful if you find yourself sick after typical business hours when your family physician is closed. Instead of suffering all weekend or being forced to go to the ER for something that really isn’t an emergency, medical clinic can help!
High Quality Care
Don’t make the mistake of thinking medical clinic means subpar medical care. The reality is that medical clinic facilities staff highly trained and experienced physicians/nurses, so you can rest assured that you will be receiving top notch care for your illness. medical clinic centers are also equipped with all the necessary medical equipment and supplies to properly diagnose and treat a wide range of illnesses, so you can get on the road to recovery in a jiffy.
Quick Wait Times
When you’re feeling ill, the last thing you want to do is sit in a waiting room for hours hoping to be seen. While most medical clinic centers provide walk-in services, they typically have much shorter wait times than visiting your local hospital’s ER. Additionally, many centers now offer online scheduling, so if you prefer to wait at home until you can be seen, you won’t be stuck sitting in an uncomfortable waiting room chair when you are feeling your worst.
More Personalized Care
In a hospital emergency room setting, the number of patients can be overwhelming. This means that you may not get the personalized attention you need, especially if your visit is not triaged as an emergency. With medical clinic, the environment is more relaxed and intimate. You can receive one-on-one care from a physician or nurse practitioner who will take the time to understand your needs and help you determine the best course of action.
No Appointments Needed
Unlike family doctors, you don’t need an appointment to be seen by a medical professional at an medical clinic center. This is perfect for those times when an illness comes on suddenly and there isn’t time to make an appointment with your doctor. All you must do is walk in, check-in and you will be seen in a reasonable amount of time. Thus, allowing you to get the quality medical treatment you need when you need it most.
Treatment For Seasonal Illnesses
The flu, colds and other seasonal illnesses can be treated quickly and efficiently at an medical clinic center. They have the ability to prescribe medications to help reduce the symptoms of the illness and get you feeling better fast. That way you don’t have to suffer through your cold or flu for days before you can be seen by your family doctor. Additionally, they also provide testing for seasonal illnesses like the flu, Covid-19 and RSV to ensure you are receiving the correct diagnosis and can provide proper documentation for work and day-care should you test positive for a communicable illness.
Testing, Diagnosis and Treatment All at One Location
Medical clinic centers provide a wide variety of testing and diagnostic services, such as laboratory tests, x-rays, ultrasounds and CT scans. This makes the diagnosis of your illness much more efficient than having to run from one office to another just to get all the necessary tests done. Not only do you have access to testing on site, but they also provide treatment options for a variety of illnesses, so you can get back home to rest and recover more quickly.
Preventative Care
medical clinic centers can provide preventative care services including physicals, vaccinations and screenings that help keep you healthy all year round. Many centers offer special discounts for preventative care services like flu shots or other immunizations. Most medical insurance plans will also cover seasonal vaccines at your local care center. This is a great way to save money and stay healthy at the same time, so you can avoid a sick visit later in the season.
Care For All Ages
Whether you’re an adult or child, medical clinic centers provide the same level of quality care for everyone. They have experienced medical personnel on staff to treat a wide range of illnesses and injuries for all ages. Regardless of whether your child is typically seen at a pediatrician or a family practice, medical clinic can handle any seasonal illness that comes their way. Thus, you can rest assured that your entire family will receive the best possible care when they need it most!
Final Words
There are many compelling reasons to seek medical care at your local urgent care center the next time you feel yourself coming down with a seasonal illness. Even if you get sick late in the day or over the weekend, you can rest easy knowing you can get the quality medical care you need to get on the mend fast. Urgent care centers offer affordable, extended hours, high-quality medical attention, shorter wait times, personalized attention, and testing and treatment options. They also provide preventative care services and cater to all ages, making them a convenient and reliable choice for non-emergency medical needs. The next time you find yourself under the weather, consider the many benefits of visiting an urgent care center and choose this option confidently to help you and your family feel better as quickly as possible.
