Women's Health     Healthy Kids     Teen Health    

3 reasons urgent care can be a go-to ailment alternative



Consider it the next time you're ill

3 reasons urgent care can be a go-to ailment alternative


In recent years, urgent care’s role in America’s health care system has increased dramatically. In fact, urgent care facilities now handle nearly 90 million visits each year,
according to the Urgent Care Association.

Yet urgent care can still be an afterthought, leaving many people struggling to get in quickly to see their regular doctor or facing long waits and bills from emergency room (ER) visits.

Next time you’re sick or need medical care, consider these three reasons why you should explore urgent care as an alternative to the ER.

1. Head to toe: Get a range of treatment.
Urgent care centers can treat a variety of non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries and prevent ailments from getting worse. Some top reasons for patients to book an urgent care visit include general illness or consultation, urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted disease, sore throat, vaginal discharge, prescriptions, sinus problems, ear infections and annual physicals.

It’s important to consider the difference between emergency and urgency. An emergency is a life-or-limb-threatening situation which according to the Mayo Clinic includes chest pain or pressure; compound fractures; head injuries; pneumonia; seizures; severe abdominal pain; shortness of breath; sudden, severe headaches; paralysis or weakness; or uncontrollable bleeding. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should call 911 or head to the ER.

READ MORE: Get speedy, professional care at an urgent care

2. Escape the wait: Book ahead.
Because ERs prioritize the most serious cases, non-emergency issues typically have to wait. That could mean 1 1/2-4 hours or more of waiting, according to Becker’s Healthcare’s assessment of ER wait times by state.

Instead, you can avoid the wait by instantly booking an urgent care appointment through free, online booking services like Zocdoc, which allow you to register ahead, show up at a confirmed time and be seen quickly when you’re sick or in pain.

Urgent care facilities’ flexibility in scheduling is also important since many people’s urgent care issues need to be addressed quickly. This is reflected in urgent care booking trends, which show 1 in 4 appointments take place after hours (6-11 p.m.), when doctors’ offices are typically closed.

3. Stay close: There’s one near you.
When you are injured or don’t feel well, you are less likely to be willing to travel far. With a 60% increase in the number of urgent care facilities across the U.S. in the last 10 years, according to research conducted by Frederic Michas and published by Statista, chances are there’s a facility near you.

Today, you can instantly book appointments online with urgent care facilities across 22 states and more than 200 locations on Zocdoc. Its number of urgent care facilities is growing by an average of nearly 40% monthly with bookings up by an average of 80% month over month this year.

Learn more and book an urgent care visit near you at Zocdoc.com or download the app.

(Family Features)
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock



Other articles by HVP News Reporters


  • Understanding 'Warning Strokes'

    What to expect if you experience stroke symptoms, even if they disappear

    Diagnosing a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a “warning stroke,” can be challenging because symptoms often disappear within an hour. However, it’s important to seek emergency assessment to help prevent a full-blown stroke. read more »
  • Managing your family's year-round health

    Protect everyone from infectious diseases

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccines help create protective antibodies that fight off infections. read more »
  • What to know about Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

    treatment can help control symptoms and improve quality of life

    Each year, an estimated 500-1,000 people nationwide are diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). While there’s currently no cure, treatment can help control symptoms and improve quality of life. read more »
  • Bring back family bonding this fall

    3 ways to free up busy schedules to spend time with loved ones

    Busy fall schedules often leave little time for the things that matter most – sharing special moments with those you love. This year, as time seems to speed up during another school year, making family bonding a priority in your household can start with a few simple tricks. read more »
  • Top tips for a more organized kitchen

    Save time and money

    Better organization in the kitchen means spending less time searching for the right ingredient or tool so you can have more time for savoring meals with family and friends, and more time for personal pursuits. read more »
  • 6 small, kind gestures to make a big impact each day

    Performing acts of kindness improves individual well-being

    Everywhere you look, you can see moments of kindness. From a friend sending a thoughtful text message to a stranger holding the bus for someone running late or a person paying for someone else’s coffee, acts of kindness happen every day. read more »
  • Keeping babies safe

    Tips to help prevent some of the biggest dangers

    Tips to help prevent some of the biggest dangers for babies include safe sleeping habits, product recalls, baby proofing & car safety read more »
  • Tips to get tour student prepped for college entrance exams

    Help get your teen ready

    Is the SAT or ACT on the horizon for your high schooler? A lot of emphasis is placed on college entrance exams, and your child may be anxious about their scores. read more »
  • More than two-thirds of Americans plan to get a flu shot this season

    CVS Pharmacy® and MinuteClinic® encourage consumers to get an annual flu shot and stay up to date on routine vaccinations

    CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) is prepared to meet patients' vaccination and other preventive health care needs as flu season approaches. CVS Pharmacy® and MinuteClinic® are offering the annual flu vaccine at locations nationwide. CVS Pharmacy is also offering the new respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, which has been approved for adults ages 60 and up. read more »
  • 10 phrases to say to children every day

    Instill valuable life skills and boost their self-esteem

    As parents, you play a pivotal role in shaping your child’s character, confidence, and overall development. Every interaction is an opportunity to instill valuable life skills and boost their self-esteem. read more »