Sometimes you have a medical problem that isn’t as life-threatening as a heart attack but still can’t wait for an appointment with your primary care physician. For illness or injury that can’t wait, but doesn’t exactly constitute a trip to the emergency room, urgent care clinics are the way to go. Not only will you save hours in the hospital waiting room, you’ll probably save thousands on emergency room bills as well.
First Care: Urgent Care and Walk-In Clinics Throughout Kentucky and Indiana
First Care Clinics are fully equipped to help patients with urgent, walk-in, and occupational medical services. Found throughout Kentucky and Indiana, our urgent care clinics are open seven days a week, and no appointment is necessary to see one of our nurse practitioners. Multiple exam rooms, on-site lab testing, and digital x-ray capabilities make it easy for us to diagnose and treat you as quickly as possible (the wait times at First Care Clinics are usually less than an hour), but we can also save you money. The average cost of a visit to a First Care Clinic ranges from $35-$100. Conversely, an ER visit could cost $1,900 or more depending on where you go and what services are performed — and that’s without being admitted to the hospital. Likewise, a new uninsured patient appointment to a primary care doctor could be costly — averaging around $160 — but that will vary greatly depending on the severity of your visit, what labs are performed, what state you live in, and your type of insurance.
Emergency Care Services at First Care Clinics
Going to the emergency room is costly — almost seven times more than a primary care visit or going to an urgent care center, according to this 2012 report by the National Center for Health Statistics — especially when your medical condition isn’t life threatening or doesn’t require immediate stabilization. In the United States, 63% of the 128 million ER visits a year, in fact, aren’t life-threatening emergencies, and only 11% of those ER visits result in a hospital admission. The result of these unnecessary ER visits includes the rising cost of healthcare and longer wait times for those actually experiencing life-threatening or traumatic medical issues.
Rather than go to the ER for non-life-threatening emergencies or minor injuries, (like sprains, or evaluation of flu symptoms, or simply being in need of care after regular office hours), find your nearest urgent care clinic. From common illness and injury to diagnostic care and occupational medicine, First Care Clinics are prepared to have you on the way to feeling better. When patients get the right care in the right setting, everyone wins.
*If you or someone near you is experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency or a severe injury, please seek help at your nearest emergency room.
Common Illnesses
You don’t plan when to get sick, but when you do, it can be hard to book an immediate or same-day appointment with your primary care physician. At First Care Clinics, same-day urgent-care services aren’t a problem. No appointment is necessary; we’re open for walk-ins seven days a week and until 8pm. When you can’t afford to wait a few days for treatment, but you aren’t experiencing a life-threatening emergency, First Care Clinics are prepared to treat any of the following illnesses:
- Allergies and Minor Allergic Reactions
- Cold and Flu
- Cough and Bronchitis
- Dehydration and Heat Exhaustion
- Ear Infections and Ear Wax Removal
- Eye Infections, Pink Eye, and Styes
- Migraines and Headaches
- Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea
- Rashes and Poison Ivy
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Sinus Infections
- Skin Conditions
- Sore Throat and Strep Throat
- Upset Stomach
- Urinary Tract and Bladder Infections
Common Injuries
Unless you’re bleeding uncontrollably or have a protruding broken bone, most common injuries can be treated at any First Care Clinic. If you’re unsure of whether or not your injury requires emergency care, however, it’s always best to air on the side of caution. If your injury is too minor for a trip to the ER, though, First Care has you covered. First Care Clinics’ urgent care teams are prepared to treat any of the following common injuries:
- Bites
- Burns, Cuts, and Scrapes
- Eye and Ear Injuries
- Foreign Object and Splinter Removal
- Fractures and Dislocations
- Ingrown Toenails
- Insect and Bee Stings
- Sprains and Strains
Diagnostic Care
At First Care, we understand how frustrating it is to have to wait for off-site laboratory testing results, which is why we have on-site testing at all First Care Clinics. From x-rays to EKG’s, we are fully prepared to provide any of the following diagnostic procedures:
- Blood Glucose
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- H. pylori Test
- Mononucleosis (Mono) Test
- Onsite Digital X-ray
- Rapid Flu and Step Test
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Test
- Urinalysis
- Urine Pregnancy Test
Occupational Medicine
First Care Clinics provide quick, convenient occupational health solutions to get you on your way as quickly as possible. From pre-employment screenings to injuries on the job, First Care Clinics provide any of the following occupational services:
- Drug and Alcohol Screens
- Employment Physicals and Exams
- Lab Testing
- TB Skin Testing
- Workers’ Compensation
Let First Care Clinics Help You
First Care Clinics are devoted to delivering top-notch, reliable healthcare through impeccable customer service, convenience, and affordability. With First Care, you’ll never worry that you’re trading quality for affordability, as we’re always committed to bringing you the best possible care. Contact us today to learn more about our urgent care services, or find a First Care Clinic near you.
