Urgent Care vs. Walk-In Clinics: How Are They Different?
Many can relate to having a cut, sprain, fever, or sinus infection outside of regular primary care office hours. When you need medical care but can’t get in to see your regular provider, it may be unclear where you should go. Urgent care and walk-in clinics both offer convenient and accessible care outside of regular business hours, but what’s the difference?
Both settings offer care for non-life-threatening medical problems, but there are some significant differences you need to understand. We’ll discuss these differences so you can make the best choice. At CareWell Urgent Care, we want you to be informed so you can get the treatment you need.
CareWell offers convenient, trusted care for a wide range of medical problems. We are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week at each of our Massachusetts and Rhode Island locations.
When to Go to Urgent Care vs. Walk-In Clinics
Urgent care centers and walk-in clinics may sound like the same thing. This can lead to confusion and ultimately to choosing the wrong type of care for your illness or injury.
Though both offer treatment for non-life-threatening medical problems, walk-in clinics are more limited in the services they provide.
What Is the Difference Between Urgent Care and a Walk-In Clinic?
Understanding the differences between these two levels of care will help you make the best choice for your medical needs.
What Is a Walk-In Clinic?
Walk-in clinics are designed for the most minor illnesses and injuries. Like urgent care, walk-in clinics are typically open outside of typical primary care office hours and offer walk-in visits. Often located in a retail store or a pharmacy, they can provide care for certain ailments. They do not, however, typically have labs, X-rays, or other diagnostic services onsite.
What Is Urgent Care?
Urgent care clinics like CareWell offer extended hours, walk-in visits, and treatment for a broader range of illnesses and injuries. With onsite capabilities that include X-ray, EKG, and lab services, they can diagnose and treat a much wider range of medical problems than a walk-in clinic.
Urgent Care vs. Walk-In Clinic: Scope of Services
Though the scope of services provided may vary from clinic to clinic, walk-in clinics typically provide care for problems like:
- Cold and flu symptoms.
- Sore throat.
- Ear pain.
- Eye discomfort.
- Mild rashes.
- Insect stings.
Urgent care clinics provide treatment for these same medical problems, as well as conditions like:
- Cuts requiring stitches.
- Minor fractures.
- Sports injuries.
- Asthma attacks.
- Abdominal pain.
- Vomiting and diarrhea.
- Urinary tract infections (UTI).
- STD testing and treatment.
One key difference between the two is the diagnostic services provided at urgent care clinics. At CareWell Urgent Care, our providers have access to X-ray imaging, EKG testing, and an onsite lab, which enables us to diagnose and treat a broader range of illnesses and injuries than a walk-in clinic. We can perform a variety of tests, including blood glucose, complete blood count (CBC), cholesterol levels, and urinalysis.
CareWell Urgent Care can also treat more complicated injuries. Our providers are trained and equipped to provide a variety of procedures, including stitches, abscess drainage, and X-ray interpretation. Our services are similar to those of a primary care clinic but with the advantage of walk-in visits and extended hours.
Urgent Care vs. Walk-In Clinic: Cost
The cost of care is understandably a concern for many. Visits to an urgent care or a walk-in clinic are typically similar in cost and much more affordable than an emergency room (ER) visit. Depending on your insurance coverage, you may just be responsible for a co-pay.
CareWell Urgent Care works with most insurance plans, but you don’t need to have insurance to see a provider. We offer a self-pay option and strive to keep our care affordable, without surprise fees. The cost for your visit will vary based on the services you receive.
CareWell: Exceptional Urgent Care for Everyone
Understanding what urgent care is and how it compares to other options can help you make the best choice when you have an urgent medical problem. When you need convenient, reliable urgent care, choose CareWell. We offer top-tier care for a spectrum of illnesses and injuries at each of our 12 locations.
