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Some cuts, scrapes, and illnesses happen with little warning. While these situations may not be emergent, they could warrant medical care. Depending on the time of day, regular doctor's offices aren’t always available, but urgent care centers usually are. This unique service is invaluable when accidents happen. The following guide outlines a few debunked myths about this type of health care facility.

A Guide to Debunked Myths About Urgent Care

1. It's the Same as the ER

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The greatest misunderstanding is that urgent care and the emergency room are the same. Urgent care is for non­life-threatening medical issues, like the flu, a sprained ankle, or a nonserious cut are common. The ER is reserved for true emergencies, like a broken bone, a wound that won’t stop bleeding, or a severe allergic reaction.

Going to an urgent care center isn't quite the same as visiting the doctor. They often have convenient weekend and nighttime hours. Most facilities do not require appointments, but you can book one in advance if needed, such as for a strep throat exam.

2. It's Expensive

Many insurance carriers cover urgent care clinics in your area, so you may only have a small co-pay following your exam. The average cost of an ER visit is far more expensive. If you don’t have insurance, many walk-in clinics offer sliding scale payments or repayment plans to ensure you receive the treatment you need.

3. Facilities Offer a Reduced Quality of Care

These walk-in clinics are staffed by fully trained medical providers and are stocked with industry-leading health care equipment for treatment and diagnostics. They’re also often connected to larger networks, so their staff can refer you to specialists or advanced diagnostic centers if warranted. Recovering from a sprained ankle, for example, may warrant a follow-up trip to an orthopedist, while a bout of panic attacks will benefit from a session with a therapist.

 

If you need immediate care for a health issue, turn to Robertsdale Urgent Care. This facility is led by owner and provider Amy Younce, MSN, RN, CRNP, FNP-C, AGACNP-BC. The team at this facility provides fast, convenient care to residents of Robertsdale, AL, and Baldwin County. Their wide scope of services includes flu shots, emergency care, and general medical testing. Call (251) 947-3591 to speak with a representative, and visit this family medical practice online to learn more. Connect on Facebook for news and updates.

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