If you are new to the concept of urgent care clinics in NY, you may not know how they work. Lack of knowledge and misinformation can result in changing our prescription about these facilities, obstructing you from getting the quality care they provide.
Urgent care centers are established to help people with minor medical emergencies such as minor accidents, vaccinations requirements, and diagnostic services. These centers have gained a lot of popularity for the past few years, accounting for almost 20 percent of all primary care visits in America. At the beginning of 2015, there were 7000 urgent care clinics established in the United States. Today, there are more than 8000 of them all across the country.
These clinics are widely accessible and convenient. If you are planning to visit one, there are certain things you must be familiar with before you walk-in to one of these centers.
- Find the Right Center
It’s never too early to start looking for an urgent care center. Searching for an urgent care center way before you actually need to will help you find the right urgent care center in NYC. You want to choose a clinic that is not only closer to your home but also accepts your health insurance plan. This helps you reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. Moreover, choose a center that specializes in the care you require.
- See if you Can Check in Online
The vast majority of urgent care clinics welcome walk-ins which means you don’t have to schedule an appointment prior to your visit. Since there is no appointment scheduled, the wait time may vary depending on the number of patients waiting before you in the queue. It could take anywhere between 20 minutes to an hour. This is where online check-ins come handy. Even if the urgent care clinic does not allow appointments, you can go to their website and fill in your details so that they can reserve you a spot.
- Don’t Ever Visit an Urgent Care Center for Life-Threatening Emergencies
Even though there are many medical emergencies that an urgent care center can address, life-threatening emergencies are best handled in an emergency room. An urgent care center in NY can provide care for colds, allergic reactions, bug stings, burns, urinary tract infections, and strep throat. Many centers also address small fractures and lacerations.
There is no denying the fact that urgent care centers are extremely convenient and affordable. But make sure you know when to visit an urgent care clinic.
