Urgent Care Frequently Asked Questions

How much does urgent care cost?

The total cost of an urgent care visit depends on a number of factors. Firstly, the cost of the visit is separate from the cost of any additional tests or treatments. So, the more tests and treatments you undergo, the higher the total cost of the visit is likely to be.

In general, a visit to an urgent care center will cost considerably less than an emergency room for the same set of treatments. The amount you pay out of pocket will depend on whether you have insurance or not. If you have insurance, it will likely cover all or part of an urgent care visit, taking your deductible, copay and network into consideration.

Why should I make an appointment at an urgent care center?

Most urgent care centers accept walk-in patients. However, making an appointment, or reserving your spot in line through QuickrCare.com helps the medical staff know you are coming, so they can make preparations for your arrival. This also means you spend less time in the waiting room and more in the comfort of your home.

How to choose an urgent care clinic?

There are several factors that should be considered when choosing an urgent care clinic. The hours of operation and how close the urgent care facility is to your current location or home are all important things to consider. Equally, it is helpful to know if the facility is certified to be an urgent care center that provides several levels of care (adult and pediatrics for example). Urgent care centers have a combination of doctors (MD or DO), physician assistants (PAs) or nurse practitioners (NPs) on staff. These medical providers while slightly different, all play an important role in management of acute medical problems.

Are urgent care clinics expensive?

In comparison to emergency rooms, urgent care centers are considerably less expensive. In certain cases, an urgent care visit may cost only a fraction of an equivalent emergency room visit. When experiencing an acute medical need that is not llife-threatening urgent care may be more cost effective than an emergency room visit. Because urgent care is less expensive than the alternative, they may be a good choice if you do not have insurance.

Can an urgent care prescribe medication?

Yes. Urgent care centers are staffed by medical providers who can prescribe limited amounts of medication. Understanding that medications may be needed to manage certain medical problems, urgent care providers are able to prescribe antibiotics, short-term allergy and asthma medications, blood pressure medications, antivirals and so forth. Whether seeing a doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner, they will be able to prescribe the medication you need until you can visit your primary care doctor. Certain classes of medications such as narcotics, long-term pain medications are generally more restricted and may not be prescribed without an urgent need.

Certain chronic conditions such as anxiety and depression, require evaluation and long-term monitoring by a psychiatrist so medications for these may not be prescribed at an urgent care center. Because urgent care centers do not manage chronic conditions, medical providers at these facilities do not often issue refills. Hence, after a visit, you may have to make an appointment with your primary care physician if a refill is needed.

Is urgent care right for me?

The number one factor in determining whether to visit an urgent care center is the severity of your condition. Urgent care medical providers are able to respond to illnesses and injuries that are not life-threatening such as sore throat, fever, vomiting, rash or mild asthma.
However, some medical problems may need the attention of a professional in an emergency room, these may include:

However, some medical problems may need the attention of a professional in an emergency room, these may include:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Seizures
• Labor
• Loss of consciousness
• Suspected poisoning
• Accident or trauma with threat to life or limb
• Severe depression
• Uncontrollable Bleeding

If you or a loved one experience such serious problem requiring medical attention, it is always wise to seek care in an emergency department in such cases.

Are urgent care locations open 24 hours?

The hours of operation of urgent care centers vary by facility. Most urgent care centers are open every day of the week, and begin to see patients between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on average, with many of these centers staying open until 9:00 p.m. Some offer extended hours on certain days of the week, but because this varies, it is best to check listings on QuickrCare.com If still unsure, you can call the urgent care center directly with the number listed on their QuickrCare.com profile.

How long do I have to wait at urgent care?

Average waiting times at urgent care centers vary based on location, and how busy the facility is at the time of your visit. If you have made an appointment, or schedule a visit using the QuickrCare.com, your wait is likely to be negligible. In comparison, wait time for an urgent care walk-in visit is between 15 to 45 minutes.

Is urgent care covered by Medicare?

In general, yes. It is rare to find an urgent care center that does not accept Medicare. While Medicare covers urgent care, these centers reserve the right to deny or accept insurance (or Medicare). They will be open about this and some might indicate specific providers who do not treat Medicare patients. In summary, urgent care centers accept different kinds of insurance and most accept Medicare. So if you are a patient with Medicare, rest assured that there are more urgent care centers that accept Medicare that those that do not.