Urgent Care Centers in the Healthcare Market
Urgent care centers offer walk-in treatment for non-life-threatening conditions, bridging the gap between primary care and ERs. They help ease overcrowding, with studies showing 30% of ER visits could be handled at urgent care centers, saving billions in healthcare costs each year.
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Many assume the emergency department is the best option for minor injuries or illnesses, but it often means long waits and high costs. In the U.S., ER visits cost an average of $2,600, while Urgent Care Centers charge around $150. Despite this, many people remain unaware of urgent care.
What should you do if you get a sudden infection or sprain your ankle on the weekend? Is it really safe to skip the ER for urgent care?
For this Pacific Prime article, we will discuss the role of urgent care centers and explore the benefits that come with them. From cost savings to accessibility, these facilities play a crucial role in modern healthcare, offering faster and more affordable treatment for common medical issues.
What Urgent Care Centers Are
Urgent Care Centers are typically walk-in facilities that focus on ambulatory care with dedicated medical equipment and healthcare professionals. Health conditions that are typically seen at urgent care centers include:
- Accidents and falls that are not serious
- Cuts that don’t involve much blood but might need stitches
- Breathing difficulties, such as mild to moderate asthma
- Diagnostic services, including X-rays and laboratory tests
- Eye irritation and redness
- Fever or flu
- Minor broken bones and fractures in fingers or toes
- Moderate back problems
- Severe sore throat or cough
- Skin rashes and infections
- Sprains and strains
- Urinary tract infections
- Vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration
What is Considered an Emergency?
An emergency medical condition is one that can permanently impair or endanger your life, such as a stroke or heart attack. Urgent Care Centers can serve as a first step in the patient’s pathway by referring patients to follow-up appointments or emergency departments.
Some examples of conditions that need emergency medical care include:
- Compound fracture, which involves a bone protruding through the skin
- Convulsions, seizures, or loss of consciousness
- Deep knife wounds or gunshot wounds
- Fever in a newborn less than 3 months old
- Heavy, uncontrollable bleeding
- Moderate to severe burns
- Poisoning
- Pregnancy-related problems
- Serious head, neck, or back injury
- Severe abdominal pain
- Severe chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Heart attack symptoms, such as chest pain that lasts longer than two minutes
- Stroke symptoms, such as vision loss, sudden numbness, weakness, slurred speech, or confusion
- Suicidal or homicidal feelings
Urgent Care Centers in the USA and UK
Urgent care centers play a growing role in the U.S. healthcare system by offering fast, affordable treatment for non-life-threatening issues. They help reduce ER overcrowding, cut costs, and provide after-hours care when primary doctors aren’t available.
In the U.K., urgent treatment centers (UTCs) serve as a walk-in alternative to A&E. Staffed by GPs and nurses, UTCs treat minor illnesses and injuries, easing pressure on hospitals. Their accessibility and shorter wait times have made them a key part of the NHS urgent care network.
Urgent Care Centers in the United States of America (USA)
In the USA, long waits for appointments with primary care providers, difficulty with same-day access for sick care, limited access to after-hours care, and extended emergency department waiting times have all been reasons for increasing the number of Urgent Care Centers.
Long wait times and high costs drive demand for urgent care centers in the U.S. For example:
- The median cost of an ER visit is $1,700, while an Urgent Care visit averages only $165.
- Studies suggest that up to 50% of ER visits could be handled at Urgent Care Centers, reducing costs and easing hospital overcrowding.
Research shows that between 13% and up to half of the 137 million annual ER visits in the U.S. could be treated at alternative care sites like Urgent Care Centers. Diverting these cases to urgent care could:
- Significantly reduce overcrowding in emergency departments
- Lower overall healthcare costs
Given their extended hours, availability of unscheduled appointments, and the range of services they provide, Urgent Care Centers are uniquely positioned within the healthcare market to address patients needing non-life-threatening medical care.
As of mid-2023, the number of Urgent Care Centers in the U.S. reached 14,832, doubling from 7,220 in 2014. This growth reflects increasing demand across various age groups. Notably, 47% of adults aged 50-80 visited an Urgent Care clinic at least once in the past two years, with 23% having multiple visits.
In the U.S., Urgent Care Centers are owned and run by different public and private entities:
- 15% are hospital-owned
- 14% are privately owned by two or more physicians
- 39% are run by a corporate organization
- 10% are run by a single physician
Urgent Care (Treatment) Centers in the United Kingdom (UK)
Across the Atlantic, the UK has GP-led urgent treatment centers (UTC) that are open 12 hours a day, every day. These UTCs work alongside other parts of the urgent care network, including primary care, community pharmacists, ambulances, and other community-based services.
The primary purpose of UTCs is to provide a locally accessible and convenient alternative to Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments that patients can go to. Additionally, they help to ease the pressure on hospitals so that A&E departments only see patients with life-threatening conditions.
UTCs treat non-life-threatening conditions such as:
- Minor fractures
- Infections
- Sprains
- Breathing difficulties
NHS data shows over 2 million visits to UTCs monthly, easing the burden on A&E. Most patients at UTCs are seen within two hours, far quicker than the average 4+ hour wait at hospitals.
Most UTCs are NHS-operated and accept walk-ins, though some may require NHS 111 referrals. Private Urgent Care Centers are also available for faster service, offering a convenient option for:
- Expats
- Travelers
- Same-day treatment without long waits
A 2024 survey by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that 76% of UTC patients felt they had enough time to discuss their condition and treatment. Additionally, 73% of patients felt their treatment was thoroughly explained, highlighting the high quality of care delivered at these centers.
The NHS has been expanding its capacity to ease pressure on urgent care services. As of March 2024, the NHS had expanded its virtual ward capacity to nearly 12,000 beds, allowing patients to recover at home while still receiving medical support. This helps reduce demand on UTCs and A&E departments.
Research shows that 12% of NHS 111 calls are referred to emergency departments. By handling these cases, UTCs help reduce:
- Pressure on emergency services
- Ensure A&E departments focus on life-threatening conditions
Finally, patient satisfaction remains high, with a 2018 study finding that 37% of patients rated their experience at UTCs and minor injury units as a perfect 10 out of 10. This reflects the positive impact of UTCs on the healthcare experience in the UK.
Benefits of Urgent Care Centers
Urgent Care Centers have significantly impacted healthcare by offering a cost-effective, faster, and more accessible alternative to emergency rooms for non-life-threatening conditions. They help reduce waiting times, lower costs, and provide convenient access to medical care.
Here are some of the benefits listed below in detail:
- Urgent Care Centers offer people a cheaper and faster alternative to emergency room treatment for the same condition.
According to Nicole Commander, Manager of Assist & Medical Management at US-based Seven Corners, “Urgent care is much more cost-effective in comparison to ER. Urgent care costs, on average, are 10 times lower than ER costs.”In addition, she added, “Urgent care provides patients with a more diverse array of services than family doctors. Many facilities are equipped with in-house laboratory testing and diagnostic imaging equipment, such as CT scanners and X-ray machines.” - Urgent treatment centers treat patients in less time.
Individuals needing medical attention who go to Urgent Cares do not have to wait in a queue for a long time or be turned away from the emergency department. According to the Urgent Care Association of America, more than 80% of patients in Urgent Cares facilities have to wait for 15 minutes or less before they receive treatment. - Urgent care centers typically operate on a ‘walk-in’ basis.
This means that patients are not required to make an appointment with the doctor before receiving care. - Most urgent care centers are open seven days a week.
Most Urgent Cares also have convenient opening and closing hours, like urgent treatment centers in the UK. - Urgent care centers provide high-quality care to all patients.
In most cases, the level of care is normally the same as the level of care and treatment found at primary care hospitals. - Urgent Care Centers are convenient for expats and travelers.
Individuals who live abroad with their family and require a straightforward, easy access point to the medical system, Urgent Care Centers may provide them with the services needed.
How Pacific Prime Can Support Your Urgent Care Needs
With over 25 years of expertise as a world-leading insurance brokerage, Pacific Prime offers health insurance plans that cover urgent care visits. This ensures you get timely treatment for non-emergency conditions without the financial burden.
Our team of international health insurance experts at Pacific Prime are on hand to help individuals and their loved ones secure the right health plan for their needs when traveling or living in another country.
Whether you’re a frequent traveler or living abroad, Pacific Prime’s flexible plans allow you to select the international health insurance coverage that suits your needs. We make sure that Urgent Care visits are covered, giving you peace of mind wherever you are.
Refer to our guides, articles, and infographics to gain more insight into the world of insurance. Contact us if you are looking for impartial advice or a free quote today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of conditions can be treated at urgent care centers?
Urgent Care Centers treat a variety of non-life-threatening conditions, including sprains, minor fractures, cuts that need stitches, sore throats, ear infections, eye irritation, mild asthma, and respiratory issues. They also provide diagnostic services like X-rays and lab tests.
Is urgent care covered under my health insurance plan?
Pacific Prime offers health insurance that includes Urgent Care services. These plans cover a range of treatments, from walk-in visits to diagnostic testing, ensuring that you have access to care when needed. Our experts can help you find a plan that fits your needs and covers Urgent Care visits.
How do urgent care centers differ from emergency rooms?
Urgent Care Centers are for non-life-threatening medical issues that require immediate attention but are not severe enough for an emergency room. Emergency rooms are designed for critical conditions, such as heart attacks or strokes, whereas Urgent Care Centers offer quicker, more affordable treatment.
After obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, International Relations from Mahidol University International College, Veerabhatr has forged his career as a content writer in the travel, lifestyle, and real estate industries, writing in both English and Thai. He now continues to hone his skills as a writer at Pacific Prime, looking to engage and educate the audience by simplifying insurance.
Writer by day, and a DJ by night, Veerabhatr is a staunch music lover, and listens to all spectrums of genres available. He also loves to drink beer (moderately), eat all types of food, go to the beach, and learn about different cultures across the globe. He is also a die-hard fan of football and motorsports.
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