At 92% of the locations, the wait time was less than half an hour and at 90% of the clinics, patients spent a total of 60 minutes waiting and being treated, according to a 2016 report from the Urgent Care Association of America. The wait time at an urgent care clinic is also more practical and works better with many people's schedules because often it is 30 minutes or less, making it easier to go back to work. One benefit of these clinics is that they are open in the evenings and weekends compared to your physician's office.
"In fact, the same care for the same condition can run three times as much or more in an ER compared to an urgent care clinic." "Urgent care clinics tend to be less expensive than emergency rooms," she said. In 2016, the average cost of an urgent care clinic was $176 compared to $2,259 at an ER, based on national averages from health insurer Cigna's 2016 claim data. Otherwise, one of the above options will save you time and money, and clear the way for patients in need of emergency treatment. BCBS members can use the Blue Cross Blue Shield Provider Finder to find nearby emergency rooms.A visit to an urgent care can typically save a patient hundreds to thousands of dollars. If you feel you are dealing with a health emergency, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. Emergency Rooms Treat Serious IssuesĮmergency rooms are designed to treat urgent, acute and life threatening conditions and aren’t the place for routine care or minor ailments. Check the back of your member ID card or your local BCBS company’s website for more information. Many BCBS companies also offer a 24-hour nurse line, which you can call any time with questions about your symptoms, complications from medication or advice on when to go to the doctor or emergency room. 24-Hour Nurse Lines Provide Phone Consultations You can find a list of the urgent care centers in your network on your Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) company’s website, or by calling the 1-800 number on the back of your member ID card. BCBS members can use the Blue Cross Blue Shield Provider Finder to locate in-network facilities. In most cases, the out-of-pocket cost for visiting a retail health clinic or urgent care center will cost less than a trip to the emergency room, but it’s always a good idea to check to make sure the location you select is covered by your plan. Urgent care centers have physicians on staff and can provide care for a greater range of conditions, including performing x-rays.
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They are staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants and are designed to treat simple conditions, like cold and flu, ear infections and skin conditions. Retail health clinics are walk-in clinics found in many large pharmacies and retail stores. If you can’t reach your doctor or need care outside of regular office hours, urgent care centers and retail health clinics are good options. Urgent Care Centers and Retail Health Clinics Offer Affordable Alternatives
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You can also read our tips on how to choose a doctor that’s right for you. If you are a BCBS member, you can use the Blue Cross Blue Shield Provider Finder to help your research. If you don’t have a primary care doctor, take some time to review the options in your network and select one. Even if your doctor is unavailable or not an expert in the area of care you need, he or she can refer you to a specialist or another medical professional. This option can also help you avoid the long wait times typically found in an emergency room.
Plus, the co-pay for a visit to your doctor’s office will cost far less than a trip to the emergency room. Your doctor knows you and your health history, including what medications you are taking and what chronic conditions might need to be considered in your treatment. Your primary care doctor should be your first call in non-emergency situations. The Doctor’s Office Is Your First Option for Non-Emergencies You can also log into your local BCBS company's site. This includes doctors, dentists, hospitals, urgent care centers, and more. BCBS members can can visit the Blue Cross Blue Shield Provider Finder to find in-network providers. Here’s a quick guide to help you know where to go, based on the urgency of your ailment and your budget. When you’re feeling sick or are injured, there are several places you can go for medical care: a doctor’s office, an urgent care center, a retail health clinic or the emergency room.
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