Finding fast and affordable medical care can seem like an impossible dream, especially consider the charges when you end up in an ER. But there is a happy medium of great care, with less cost and less wait time, and you’ll find it at an urgent care facility. Read on for three reasons you should choose these centers over the ER in a non life-threatening situation.


Cost Effective


It’s no secret that a trip to the ER can rack up charges like no other type of medical care. The expense of ER trips can get out of hand very quickly. Rather than spending hundreds of dollars, visit urgent care and save your money in case you ever really need to go to the ER.


Faster Care


About 60% of urgent care centers have patients waiting less than 15 minutes to see a physician. In addition, 65% have a physician on-site at all times. The Urgent Care Association of America also reports that visits to these clinics are completed within 60 minutes or less 80% of the time. However, if you go to the ER with a non life-threatening condition, you could be waiting hours just to get in to see a doctor, and then even longer to actually get treatment and leave. There is no reason to wait that long for treatment when you can get the same care much faster at an urgent care facility.


Better Care


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that almost 48% of all adults visiting the emergency room are not actually sick enough to be admitted to the hospital. They only sought treatment there because their normal doctor’s office was closed. Urgent care can help with colds, flus, strains, sprains, and even fractures. They also help with burns, lacerations, and numerous kinds of testing and shots. Everything your doctor’s office can help with, these centers can match.


Would you consider visiting one of these facilities ? Why or why not?