Urgent care centers have become a vital part of healthcare. They provide immediate care for non-life-threatening conditions and injuries. They are bridges between your primary care provider and the emergency room. With extended clinic hours, urgent care centers offer the convenience of walk-in appointments, making them great go-to options for the unexpected.
Let’s explore the advantages of urgent care centers and what the patient can expect in terms of cost.
What Advantages Does an Urgent Care Center Offer over a Hospital ER?
Certainly, anyone should seek medical care for life-threatening emergencies in a hospital emergency room. ERs handle everything from heart attacks and strokes to head trauma and profuse bleeding.
However, if you have a minor injury or illness which needs immediate attention, an urgent care center may be the better, more cost-effective choice. Here are just some of the benefits urgent care delivers.
Shorter Wait Times
One of the biggest advantages of visiting an urgent care center over a hospital ER is shorter wait times. At our urgent care center in King, NC, we usually see our patients in less than thirty minutes.
Hospital ER wait times are much longer because the most seriously ill patients receive their care first. So, if you go to an emergency room for treatment of an ankle sprain, you likely will wait…and wait.
Accessibility
With numerous locations and flexible hours, urgent care centers offer easy access to medical care when you need it most. You can find an urgent care center near your home, school or workplace without the hassle of navigating a large, crowded hospital.
For instance, Cardinal Urgent Care is located in the King Shopping Center in King, NC. Our facility features easy parking and convenient service hours seven days a week. When your primary care physician cannot see you, it is likely that we can!
Onsite Diagnostic Services
Your urgent care center in King, NC, delivers a complete range of patient care services, including:
- Rapid tests for contagious diseases, such as strep and mono
- Blood draws
- EKGs
- Digital X-ray imaging
- Routine physical exams for school, sports, employment and preventive care
- Vaccines
- DOT physicals and other occupational health services, such as Workers’ compensation injury care
In other words, the services at an urgent care center are more versatile than at a hospital ER. That said, emergency rooms are the gold standard for life-saving care.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit an Urgent Care Center?
The cost of visiting an urgent care center can vary depending on several factors. These include the specific services provided and whether you have health insurance.
On average, a visit to our urgent care center can cost about $200. This fee typically covers the consultation and basic diagnostic services.
Additional costs may apply if you require specialized services such as X-rays, lab tests, or medications. However, even with added expenses, the overall cost is usually much lower than what you would pay at an emergency room for similar services.
How Can I Pay for My Care at an Urgent Care Center?
Most urgent care centers accept a wide range of payment methods. Here are the options we offer at Cardinal Urgent Care.
Health Insurance
We accept most major health insurance plans. You may have to pay co-pays and deductibles out of pocket. So, be sure to check with your health insurance carrier to understand what your policy covers.
Out-of-Pocket Costs
For people without insurance, urgent care centers provide transparent pricing. At our King, NC, urgent care center, we accept various forms of payment, including cash, credit cards and debit cards.
Urgent Care in King, NC
If you reside in or around King, NC, and need prompt medical attention for a non-life-threatening condition, Cardinal Urgent Care can help. Our clinic offers a wide array of services designed to meet your urgent healthcare needs. From rapid assessment and diagnosis to treatment, you will receive superior care when you need it.
Our fees are affordable, and we proudly serve patients of all ages. Whether you’re dealing with a minor injury or need a physical, Cardinal Urgent Care in King, NC, is your best resource.
We are open seven days a week. Visit us Monday through Friday 8 am to 8 pm and Saturdays and Sundays 9 am to 5 pm. Just walk in! You never need an appointment. However, if you want to let us know you are coming, use our convenient online check-in form.
To learn more about Cardinal Urgent Care, call us at (336) 983-9111. We look forward to being your go-to provider for non-urgent, preventive, and occupational healthcare.
