Emergency Room Vs Urgent Care

Did you know that over 80% of the conditions at Emergency Room visits can be treated at an urgent care facility?  We want our patients to be as informed as possible about their medical choices.  That’s why we strive to provide you with most up-to-date information and methods for treating your urgent injuries and illnesses.

Emergency rooms are not the fastest or most cost effective choice when you need immediate health care, and often it takes days to get in to see a primary care physician or specialist. You could wait hours in the E.R. for less serious health concerns, and that’s too much time and money lost. That’s why we are the ideal alternative for your health care needs. Clinics are operated by top quality medical professionals, so our patients can be confident that they’re getting the highest level of care.

Time & Cost Favor Urgent Care

The cost difference alone should be enough to encourage people to go to urgent care centers. The average urgent care visits range from $50 to $150, depending on the patient’s co-pay and level of treatment, according to Dr. Franz Ritucci, President of the American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine.

Dr. Ritucci said that 70% of patients at urgent care centers use health insurance and their only cost is a co-pay and possibly a deductible. Average emergency room costs vary wildly based on treatment, but a 2013 National Institute of Health study put the median cost at $1,233. Other estimates push it to as high as $2,168.

Then there is the time factor. Patients at an urgent care center are seen on a first-come, first-serve basis and average less than 1 hour from the time they arrive until they depart. Emergency rooms treat patients based on the severity of the condition. Patients with life-threatening injuries go first. The average time from arrival to departure is 2 hours, 15 minutes.