The popularity of the modern emergency walk in clinic has certainly grown in recent years. It is estimated that about 3 million patients visit these clinics each week, according to the Urgent Care Association of America. Unfortunately, there will be moments in life where you could require emergency medical treatment. It’s important to know the benefits of visiting a walk in clinic. Here are three reasons why, when you feel under the weather, you should go to one of these clinics.
- Reason 1: Convenience – One common concern of potential clinic patients are the hours of their local facility. It’s necessary to wonder if the clinic you visit will have the same round-the-clock service that a hospital offers. Eighty-five percent of urgent care centers are available to the public every single day of the week. It’s highly likely that your local walk in clinic is open seven days a week. However, it’s always a good idea to find the phone number of your local clinic to ensure you know the correct operating hours. As a matter of fact, certain patients will visit a clinic if their regular doctor is out of the office. In addition, there are times when a regular doctor can be overbooked, creating another reason to consider visiting one of these clinics.
- Reason 2: Variety of Ailments Treated – Statistics from 2012 show that upper respiratory conditions were the most commonly diagnosed, while wound repair was the most common procedure. Walk in clinics are well-equipped to diagnose and treat most medical situations. In some instances, you can find a clinic that has an on-site pharmacy. However, the convenience of an on-site pharmacy at a clinic isn’t always the norm. However, most medical procedures can be done within the confines of a walk in clinic.
- Reason 3: No Health Insurance Required – Hospitals usually require insurance documentation which can make the uninsured not allowed to be treated. People who are uninsured have emergency medical conditions that can occur, just like those who are insured. Most of the time, non-insured patients will have nowhere else to go for treatment but a walk in clinic. An emergency walk in clinic is the most suitable option for medical treatment to those whose insurance plans are too costly.
In closing, an emergency walk in clinic offers many benefits, especially to uninsured individuals. Many walk in clinics are open seven days a week, with some even offering 24-hour care. Placing a telephone call to your local walk in clinic or finding their hours online is recommended. You don’t want to assume that a clinic is open 24 hours to find that the hours are different. These clinics are capable of treating many different illnesses and emergency situations, much like your regular doctor does. A walk in clinic is highly recommended if you are in need of urgent medical treatment that isn’t immediately life-threatening.