The Role of Urgent Care in Today’s Healthcare Model
With an ever-changing healthcare landscape, it is imperative that individuals understand the myriad of care options available to them. Traditional models included a family physician for routine checkups and preventative medicine, while hospital care was primarily for life-threatening conditions and emergency situations. However, with a multitude of current healthcare options, it can be difficult to know what type of care is accessible. Dr. Rajesh Geria, an experienced emergency medicine physician, outlines the various care centers available including free-standing ERs, retail clinics, and urgent care centers.
Freestanding ERs
Dr. Rajesh Geria claims that a freestanding emergency center is a state-licensed facility that provides 24-hour access to emergency services. Similar to emergency rooms, these ERs are widely available, allowing patients to visit without having to travel far to their nearest hospital. Physicians and nurses must be trained and board-certified emergency medicine specialists. Similarly, these centers must also have medical personnel that are trained and certified in advanced cardiac and pediatric life support. In addition, the centers must have the ability or policies in effect to allow for the transfer of patients to higher levels of care if needed.
Freestanding emergency centers are not affiliated or attached to hospitals and are often a much faster alternative to an ER. The cost of a visit to a free-standing facility can be similar to a visit to the ER, costing patients a significant amount of money. These services are not covered by government health insurances such as Medicare or Medicaid.
Retail Clinics
In a traditional healthcare model, retail clinics provided care on a “walk-in” basis. Similar in the sense that they are open beyond regular office hours, retail clinics, do not provide the same level of care as urgent care centers. Many retail clinics can be found in shopping centers where patients have the option of a quick check-up.
Retail clinics can provide immediate care for conditions such as minor colds, coughs, headache, ear pain, and administer vaccinations such as flu shots. Retail clinics are typically staffed by family physicians, physician assistants, or nurse practitioners. The cost of a visit to a clinic is usually less than at an urgent care center, although can depend on the type of visit.
Urgent Care Centers
Urgent care centers help bridge the gap between retail clinics and ERs (hospital-based or freestanding facilities). They offer extended hours and provide care for a variety of medical needs. Although similar to ERs, urgent cares are not required to staff emergency medicine specialists, allowing for family physicians to provide care to patients.
The role of urgent cares is to provide medical attention for non-life-threatening illnesses or issues such as broken bones or splinting, wounds and lacerations, minor surgical procedures, and asthma exacerbations. Many of these centers have diagnostic tools available such as x-ray machines and labs for blood testing. Urgent cares do not require appointments beforehand and wait times are significantly less than those of emergency rooms, helping ease the burden. The cost of a visit to the urgent care depends on the reason for visiting, but can be expected to be much less than a visit to a free-standing ER, with most insurances allowing for just the payment of copay.
Which Would Be Best for Me?
Depending on what you are seeking care for, the need for any of the three described care centers can vary. With urgent care centers being able to provide care at a reasonable cost, they are a good option for non-emergent cases. Dr. Rajesh Geria believes that urgent care centers play an important role in our healthcare system, allowing patients quicker access to healthcare and many times are more cost-effective. Many centers work with surrounding hospitals and ERs in case of sudden changes in patient’s healthcare requirements and can be transferred if needed. As the population grows and healthcare continues to change, Dr. Rajesh Geria foresees further evolution of urgent care centers and the role that they play in patient care.
