Food poisoning, burns, and the flu don’t wait until you’ve got a good budget.
When bad times sneak up on you, you need flexible and supportive healthcare resources to back you up. Urgent healthcare services are explicitly designed as a security net for Americans of all shapes and sizes. There will come times where you can’t wait to see your regular doctor. You might even be switching insurance plans and worried about preventative care measures in the meantime. Take a minute to look below and learn about the benefits of urgent care in your life.
You might be surprised by what’s next door.
Urgent Care Medicine Is Becoming A Preferred Resource For Many
An American student was recently removed from their parents’ health plan and are in need of more options. An older American doesn’t yet qualify for Medicaid and wants to ensure they have affordable healthcare resources. Urgent healthcare services are designed to help everyone out, in one way or another, at a low cost. A 2016 study found one-quarter of American patients stating they visited an urgent care center within the last two years. A convenient quality and cost is something everyone can appreciate.
Emergency Rooms Often Charge Too Much, Too Often
The emergency room is designed for life-saving measures. It’s not uncommon to see patients visiting because they misinterpreted their situation, later walking out with a thousand dollar bill to take care of. An illuminating study found more than 70% of all emergency room visits involving patients with consumer-sponsored insurance coverage being for non-emergency conditions. Likewise, less than 5% of patients who visit an urgent care center have to be diverted to an emergency room. There’s no reason you can’t have high quality care and pay a low cost.
The Urgent Care Market Is Growing Larger By The Minute
As you likely guessed, the urgent care market is growing rapidly. Back in 2009 fewer medical school seniors selected ‘family medicine’ as their specialty than in 2008. According to HealthCare Appraisers the urgent care center market remains highly fragmented, as well, with most operators owning fewer than three centers. Today there are thousands of urgent care centers across the country. Back in 2015 urgent healthcare services reported seeing an average of 12,000 patients per year (or 30 visits per day).
Minor To Moderate Injuries Will Be Treated On-The-Spot
It doesn’t matter if you’ve been cut or suspect you have a broken bone. Urgent healthcare services are there to keep you on your feet. Between 45% and 65% of all ER episodes could have been treated at an urgent care center. An estimated four out of five urgent care centers provide on-the-spot fracture care, to boot. When you’re desperate for help, the last thing you need is to juggle what a given place will and won’t treat.
Preventative Care And Illness Treatment Are Also Available
You’re experiencing breathing difficulties and want to know if it’s serious. You’ve struggled with a constant headache for weeks and are finally reaching your limit. Perhaps you’re feeling just fine, but want to ensure you’re updated on your vaccines. Urgent healthcare services are ready and waiting in the wings. The Urgent Care Association Of America’s 2016 Benchmarking Report found the most common illnesses reported at urgent care centers the year prior was acute sinusitis and bronchitis.
Life throws curveballs. Throw them back with an effective ER alternative.
