Typically, when a medical issue arises, the last thing an injured patient wants is to wait in the unfavorable long lines and harshly lit waiting rooms the emergency room has to offer. Walk in urgent care centers are fantastic low cost alternatives to the hospital, as they typically treat common, everyday illnesses and injuries. If you are injured or sick, go no further than your closest clinic.

They Know Their Stuff

More than 95% of all urgent care centers have physicians on staff, averaging 342 patient visits per clinic each week. About half of urgent care centers have the ability to provide prescription pharmaceuticals, which are normally pre-packaged for dispensing a full course of treatment in a doctor’s office rather than in pharmacies. This point-of-care dispensing affords a personal touch without the wait time or appointments needed for a visit to the doctor. Need to get your flu shot before the flu catches up to you? Hop on in, and the doctors will take care of you in a jiffy.

Time is of the Essence

In a rush? Only three percent of urgent care centers have wait times of more than 40 minutes, with 69% having wait times of less than 20 minutes. A national survey shows more than two-thirds of urgent care centers open before 9:00 am on weekdays, with 45.7% open for patients on Saturday, and 31% accessible on Sundays.

They Are Only Getting Better

The benefits of these urgent care centers are clear.According to the Urgent Care Association of America, there are around 9,000 urgent care centers in the United States, and that number is growing. It is estimated that in 2025, the United States will need almost 52,000 additional primary care physicians to meet our country’s health care utilization needs. The majority of these health clinics have been in operation for more than five years, and 40% being open for over nine years.

Less Money, Less Problems

The cost disparity between emergency room visits and urgent care centers are out of this world. You can easily save between $228-$583 for the same diagnosis by simply going to urgent care. Imagine the things you could buy will all that money you save!

With the benefits of experienced doctors, with quick and affordable service, urgent care centers provide the perfect accessible option for all your health care needs.