Flu season round two has arrived.
Perhaps because of the long winter, many parts of the country are experiencing cases of the flu. And while the cold and flu season normally runs its course during the winter months, the fact that spring has been so slow to arrive this year means that the flu has been slow to leave.
Whether you are looking for a way to make sure that you are ready for the cold and flu season or you find out whether or not you have strep throat, you do not have to wait to get an appointment at your family physician’s or pediatrician’s office. Instead, a growing number of health consumers are visiting a walk in health clinic to get the care that they need.
From sports injuries to stitches, family health clinics are an affordable, convenient, and reliable way to get the care that you need.
Family health clinics are an affordable option. From minor injuries to minor illnesses, the decision to go to a walk in health clinic instead of a hospital emergency room is a wise one. In fact, while there may have been a time decades ago when the hospital emergency room was the only place to go for medical care late at night or on the weekends, today the less expensive option is to visit a walk in urgent healthcare office. And while the cost may be less, the care is not. For instance, as many as 80% of urgent care centers provide fracture care. Some of the latest research indicates that approximately 44% to 65% of all ER episodes could have been treated in urgent care settings, according to a private study conducted by Milliman.
Family health clinics are a convenient option. The fact that so many of these health clinics are available extended hours means that you do not need to worry through the night about a fever or other health concern. Furthermore, the fact that none of these clinics require an appointment means that you can walk in and get treated in a relatively quick manner. Compared to the high cost of an ER visit and the long wait that can occur as well, a family health clinic visit is a very good decision.
Family health clinics are a reliable option. The majority of urgent care clinics are owned and staffed by doctors. In a time when there are more and more people with access to affordable health care, it should come as no surprise that many providers are looking at efficient, affordable, and quality care platforms that can meet this growing need. The latest research from the the Urgent Care Association of America indicates that as many as 3 million patients visit urgent care centers each week, to this is clearly a platform that is working well.
