Urgent care clinics are now growing into reliable healthcare centers for all kind of non-emergency ailments and injuries. They account for almost 20% of the total numbers of primary care visits in the US as reported by the UCAOA i.e. the Urgent Care Association of America.
These urgent care clinics are being preferred by millions all over the world because you do not have to wait for long hours to get treated and checked by a medical practitioner. When you are experiencing any medical condition which needs immediate treatment but is not life-threatening by nature, all you have to do is type in the words “after hours medical clinic near me” on a search engine and head out to the closest one. These clinics are equipped to provide you with a host of services, including care during holidays and weekends to benefit those who cannot take time out for tests and checkups during the week. You can get yourself tested and treated for rashes, burns, minor cuts and bruises, fractures, cough and cold, flu, diarrhea and migraines here.
Tips to find an urgent care clinic near you:
- Get Referrals: One of the first things that you need to check for is reviews about the clinic you plan to visit. The best way you can be sure whether a particular clinic caters to what you want is to go online and find out more about its quality of services from patients who have visited it earlier. Feedbacks from past patients and references from close friends and family members can help you find a good after-hours medical clinic near you.
- Ask Questions: It may be a good idea to ask questions to find out what kind of services, testing facilities and amenities the clinic offers. While you may get a lot of information on the Internet, it is always better to check out the facility yourself. This will help you understand how professional they are and whether the center makes use of state-of-the-art equipment and laboratory facilities. The clinic should ideally have a staff which works round-the-clock to answer your queries.
- Check Credentials: There are many organizations like the UCAOA which are meant for ensuring that a specific clinic functions according to stated norms and guidelines. This means you need to select a facility which is certified; to be sure, you can ask to see licenses and relevant certifications. An accredited facility will alwys show the highest levels of safety and quality; for instance, it will have proper infection control measures in place.
- Know the Services: Centers will offer various services to patients. So, it is necessary to choose a clinic near you which offers the kind of care you need. For instance, if a patient needs physical therapy you need to first find out whether the clinic in question has the means to offer this and the staff to perform the required physical treatment and tests.
- Mode of Payment: You need to first find out how you can pay for an urgent care clinic Arlington before you visit it. Most centers will accept private insurance. According to reports, almost 58% of the UCAOA-approved centers accept Medicare. Those with health coverage should find out about cash discounts. You must also inquire whether the facility is part of a physician’s network or a specific hospital. You should also find out whether you can make online appointments beforehand. While most centers take in walk-in patients, some even offer online check-in facilities.
