If you're feeling really sick and your symptoms don't seem to be getting any better, it's always a good idea to get checked out. But what should you do if your symptoms are mild or you don't know what they mean? Should you go to the emergency room (ER) or urgent care center? This article will explain why going to an urgent care center is usually the best option. The ER is for people with severe injuries or who need immediate medical attention such as those experiencing chest pain, stroke symptoms, heavy bleeding, burns over 10% of their body, broken bones that require surgery just to name a few. If none of these apply then there's no reason not to head on over!
ERs are also expensive. If you can't afford to get better, it's important to remember that this is the United States of America (it doesn't matter where you live) and you do have options. The most common option for treatment without insurance is hospital emergency rooms. These facilities are required by law to offer treatment regardless of your ability to pay. Now while this might not seem like a bad option, keep in mind that these places treat people who urgently need care every day and emergency care is always more expensive than preventative or scheduled care. You should think of your ED visit like an ATM; if you don't use it often then there will be plenty of money waiting for you but rush in and out and it could cost you a fortune. Not to mention, many urgent care facilities are open seven days a week whereas the majority of ERs close at night and on weekends leaving you without options when urgent care is closed.
One option that is growing in popularity is urgent care centers. Urgent care clinics have been around for several decades but have recently seen an increase in popularity as word spreads about their benefits. One big advantage of urgent care clinics over emergency rooms or doctor's offices is that they are mostly, if not completely, cash or self-pay facilities. This means that no insurance is necessary which can be very beneficial for those who do not wish to pay high monthly premiums just to pay huge deductibles every time they need treatment. Urgent Care Clinic is a medical facility that provides care for non-life threatening illnesses and injuries. The clinic offers treatment for respiratory infections, coughs, colds, sore throats, minor burns, cuts and scrapes. These are just some of the ailments that can be treated at an urgent care clinic.
Another popular benefit of urgent care centers is that they often have extended hours and are open on weekends, afternoons, or evenings when doctor's offices and emergency rooms might be closed. This means that urgent cares provide 24-hour access to needed healthcare services.
An added benefit of urgent care clinics is cost. Not only can urgent care facilities save you money by providing a cash option for treatment, but many of them also charge much less than doctor's offices or emergency rooms . Some people prefer urgent care facilities because they feel like doctor's offices take too long to see someone. An urgent care facility can typically have you in, out, and on with your day within an hour or two.
Additionally, urgent care is great for non-life threatening medical issues where you want a quick diagnosis and treatment plan without spending all day at the doctor's office. Medi-Station Urgent Care is a full service urgent care clinic that provides many services including: walk in hours, occupational health and wellness, physical therapy, IV hydration and electrolyte replacement. We also offer on site lab work to test for blood sugar levels, electrolytes and other substances. We also offer covid testing and covid-19 treatment.