Convenient medical treatment can seem like an oxymoron at times.
Medical debt remains one of the biggest financial issues facing Americans today. Insurance plans change on a constant basis, taking away coverage and adding new caveats. A single trip to the emergency room can completely decimate your rainy day fund. When you’re feeling your options shrinking and your health getting worse, the benefits of urgent care can finally give you something to smile about. Affordable, flexible, and convenient, this healthcare model is only getting more needed from here.
What can urgent care centers offer you that your regular doctor or emergency room cannot? Read the list below and catch up on what sets this healthcare model apart from the rest.
A Convenient Quality And Cost Is The Urgent Care Model Promise
It’s understandable to be skeptical of a medical model that promises a low cost with high quality. This is, however, the foundation that undercuts the urgent care model today. The Urgent Care Association Of America’s 2016 Benchmarking Report found 7,300 urgent care clinics across the country. More than one quarter of American patients have reported visiting one of these clinics in the last two years. When you need a break from stress and quick care, board-certified doctors and nurses will ensure you leave feeling better.
Wait Times At Urgent Care Clinics Are Almost Always Short
Here’s a lesser-known element that you won’t find at your regular doctor’s. Urgent care models are fast-paced, designed to get you in and out as quickly as possible. The Urgent Care Association Of America’s 2016 Benchmarking Report saw an impressive 90% of urgent care clinics maintaining a wait time of 30 minutes or less. This means no lingering and feeling your condition worsen unnecessarily. Whether it’s breathing difficulties or a persistent rash that has you visiting, you can be rest assured you’ll be seen promptly.
A Wide Variety Of Injuries And Illnesses Are Treated
Convenient medical treatment needs to be diverse. This means no being turned down because your condition is too vague or because your insurance plan hasn’t been updated. The Urgent Care Association Of America’s 2016 Benchmarking Report found the most common illnesses diagnosed in clinics back in 2015 were acute upper respiratory infection, sinusitis, and bronchitis. The most common injuries are ankle sprains, cuts, and fractures. That’s not all you can seek out, either.
You Can Request Preventative Care And Check-Ups
It’s not enough to simply treat issues as they come. You also need to take steps to remain healthy. Convenient medical treatment should make sure you’re set up for success months, even years, down the road. You can receive yearly flu vaccines and essential physicals when you drop by your 24 hour walk in clinic. STD treatment, breast exams, and pap smears are just a few of the general treatments you can request during your visit, too.
Convenient Medical Treatment Is An American Right
You deserve medical treatment that doesn’t leave you stressed and frustrated. Not only is this more money out of your wallet, this can even contribute to worse physical and mental health. The emergency room, while a vital resource for severe issues, can be misused. One study found 45% of all emergency room episodes could have been treated at urgent care locations instead. Another recent study found just 3% of patients who come to an urgent care center have to be diverted to emergency health services.
Convenient medical treatment is your right. Look up the hours of your local urgent care clinic and make sure you’re never without your options.