Mishaps in the kitchen, kids falling off swings while playing, stomach bugs, ankle twists, etc. are some of the most common medical conditions that every household encounters. Well, these small, panic situations lead to a lot of confusion about whether one should make an appointment with their primary doctor or go to the emergency room.
This dilemma is cleared up in one of the previous articles which will help you understand the various health conditions are their appropriate treatment centers. The following article will enlighten you about the costing and insurance coverages of the same.
Examples Of Conditions Treated In Urgent Care
Here are the most common medical conditions which are treated at urgent care units.
Broken bones and sprains
Rashes
Hives
Sinus infection
STDs
Stomach flu
Vomiting
Urinary tract infection
Kidney stones
Earaches and infections
Food Poisoning
Deep wounds that require stitching
Vaccination
Eye irritations
How Much Does Urgent Care Cost Us?
Numerous people are concerned that urgent care facilities may be more expensive than typical medical facilities or emergency rooms. But this is not the case at all. The costs patients will incur across all three settings are summarized in the following succinct manner.
The cost of using the emergency department is high. The typical fee will be $1,300 plus the price of an ambulance journey, should one be required ($400–1,200).
An urgent care visit typically costs between $120 and $150. The cost of supplemental services including x-rays, injections, drugs, and bone casts is in addition to the visit's standard charge. Primary care doctors have a set fee for an office visit, which typically varies from $100 to $300 depending on your location and their areas of specialization.
When their primary care doctors do not have office hours on the weekends or at night, many patients turn to urgent care facilities as their primary source of care. Patients benefit from urgent care facilities in different ways. Centers for urgent care provide x-ray imaging in addition to other services like lab work and simple orthopedic surgeries. Patients can receive care quickly and conveniently at urgent care facilities because of their extended hours (MyDoc).
Urgent Care Cost With And Without Insurance
Urgent care costs can be covered by insurance but if you do not have health insurance, you can still use urgent care clinics' services. The full cost of urgent care services, however, will be your responsibility if you do not have insurance, usually in full at the time of service. Additionally, you will be responsible for paying for any prescription drugs that are needed to treat your disease.
In the case of insurance coverage, your medical expenses would be covered by insurance whether you have met your deductible at the moment or not. While insurance covers all expenses, the overall costs are streamlined and almost reduced to a bare minimum.
3 Things To Know Before Going To An Urgent Care
1. Check In Online If You Can
You do not need an appointment to see a doctor in an urgent care facility because they are walk-in facilities. You do not need to make an appointment, but the length of your wait will depend on who comes before you. The wait time to visit a doctor could be 20 minutes, an hour, or longer. A few urgent care facilities do accept appointments, so keep that in mind.
To reduce your wait time, it does not hurt to phone a facility ahead of time and ask if you can schedule a certain time period. If a facility does not accept appointments, you might be able to check in online. If online check-in is offered, check the center's website. If that is the case, go ahead and give them some basic information so they can get ready.
2. Find A Center Suitable For Your Needs
To minimize your out-of-pocket expenses if you have health insurance, it is critical to select a facility that takes your insurance plan. Choose a facility that specializes in the kind of care you require. This could be advantageous if the urgent care center and your doctor's office have good communication.
For instance, if your child needs medical attention, some urgent care facilities have pediatric care specialists on staff. Other clinics are focused on treating orthopedic or women's health-related problems. Knowing the location of the nearest urgent care facility to your house can be useful. Learn about the services offered by this clinic's several departments as well as it's opening and closing times.
3. Understand You Will Not See A Doctor
It is crucial to be aware that the person who sees you in an urgent care facility could not be a doctor before visiting. In addition to having doctors on staff, many urgent care facilities also employ physician assistants and nurse practitioners who are qualified to make diagnoses and offer treatment for a range of medical ailments.
No matter what kind of healthcare provider you visit, they will probably prescribe treatment and, if you have one, advise you to follow up with him or her (Healthline).
Conclusion
This article tries to throw some extra light on the medical matters which can be treated at urgent care units. Apart from that the cost and the insurance coverage the other important aspects are also covered here.