Each year, patients across the country visit an urgent care facility. These increased visits are contributing to the popularity of urgent care treatment. Statistics from the Urgent Care Association of America, presented in 2011, show that the average urgent care facility cared for 342 patients per week. Also, there was an average increase of 28 extra patients per month in the average urgent care facility. Here are three reasons you should consider visiting an urgent care location the next time you need the help of a family medicine provider.
- Convenient Operating Hours – In data collected in 2014, 97% of urgent care facilities were open seven days a week. Also, 99% of those same facilities were open 4 hours per day or more. Many patients will end up going to an urgent care location during times where their primary physician is away or their office is closed. An increasing number of urgent care providers are changing their hours to best accommodate the needs of their patients. Most urgent care facilities have always maintained convenient hours.
- Quick Service – Family urgent care facilities all across the country are becoming increasingly popular because of their fast but thorough service to patients. Family medicine is important to parents who want the best possible care for their children, in addition to themselves. Many treatments and service done in hospitals and doctor’s offices can just as easily be performed at most urgent care locations. Many people turn to the emergency room when they are in a situation that requires quick service. However, some aren’t aware of the fast treatment that an outpatient service, like an urgent care facility, excels at providing.
- More Suitable for the Uninsured – There can be situations when your employer does not offer any insurance options. In addition, if you are in a situation where you can not get insured, visiting an urgent care is usually the best option when you need emergency care. You won’t have to worry about having to try and pay for hospital service without any insurance at an urgent care facility. Family medicine can often appear to be out of reach for those without insurance. However, urgent care treatment is providing a much needed option to uninsured families all across the United States.
In closing, visiting an urgent care facility is certainly a decision that has become increasingly popular. The convenience of urgent care treatment makes it, in most cases, easy to get a quick diagnosis and treatment. Studies are showing that, 70% of the time, there are instances where a person goes to the emergency room, only to find that their situation could have easily been handled through outpatient treatment. Urgent care facilities are a great solution for the uninsured, as they will have emergency situations that must be handled.