Fortunately, when we are ill or have an emergency, we have many medical options for treatment. We can visit one of the many medical practices nearby to see a family physician. We can also go to the local hospital and visit the emergency department for a variety medical doctors. We even have the option to skip the long waits at the emergency department for an urgent care setting, receiving quick care in an extended hours setting. There are many options when it comes to receiving medical care, and the best choice for you will depend on many factors.
Urgent care is somewhat of a newer concept. They are popping up all over cities and states, and many people are still unaware of the difference between an urgent care and an emergency department. There are currently 20,000 physicians who practice urgent care medicine today, and the number is growing. Urgent care professionals have developed urgent care medicine into an important, recognized specialty that represents this fast growing medical field. Urgent care is generally best for those conditions that cannot wait for an opening with your regular physician, but may not be of enough emergency to warrant a visit to the emergency room. The Coppell emergency care center might be best for those patients suffering extended flu symptoms, ear aches or sprained ankles or wrists.
The Coppell emergency care center provides many of the same services that an emergency room might, but they generally have shorter waits and cost less than emergency care does. Additionally, the Coppell emergency care center is ideal for those conditions that you might be able to see your regular physician about, but are unable to get an appointment. The Coppell emergency care center does not require appointments and they often have extended hours, open much longer and on the weekends compared to your regular physician?s office.
Another benefit to the urgent care settings is the size. Emergency services provided at a hospital are generally done by just a few physicians on duty. This often leads to high wait times, especially if others medical conditions are more serious. An urgent care clinic is smaller in size, with less patients waiting. There are enough physicians to cover the clinic?s patient size. The U.S. likely will need almost 52,000 additional primary care physicians by 2025 to meet the countries health care utilization needs. That is the conclusion reached by a team of researchers whose work is highlighted in an article titles Projecting U.S. PrimaryCare Physician Workforce Need, 2010 to 2025. The lack of primary care physicians may make it more difficult to get an appoint with your regular physician?s office.
Many patients also enjoy the cost savings of the urgent care setting. Emergency care services in a hospital setting generally cost much more, even with health insurance. The urgent care setting, being more similar to the primary care physician?s office matches their prices more closely. An urgent care treatable case handled in a hospital emergency room costs an average of $2,039, while the same case treated in an urgent care facility would run approximately $226. These savings are important to patients with minimal or no health insurance coverage and those who are responsible for out of pocket medical costs.
There are many medical treatment options available when you are feeling ill or when you sustain an injury. However, with so many options, it can be difficult to choose the best medical setting for your care. Urgent care centers are relatively new and are a mix of emergency department hours and primary care physician skills. Those medical conditions that do not require emergency care, but cannot wait for an open appointment at the regular physician office will benefit from an urgent care medical setting. These patients will find cost savings, better convenience and less wait times when visiting the local urgent care center.