Did you know that there were a whopping 145.6 million visits made to U.S. emergency departments in 2016? That’s almost 400,000 visits per day!
What’s even more surprising, though, is that only 8.7% of those visits led to hospitalization. One reason is that most ED visits are not actually emergencies.
In fact, one study found that as many as 30% of ED visits don’t require emergency treatment. Instead, urgent care facilities could have treated many of these patients.
That said, you’d be better off going to urgent care in Destin, FL if you have a non-emergency situation. Not only will this let you skip the long queues you usually see in emergency departments. You may also get to save money with lower-cost treatments!
Like any other healthcare facility though, urgent care clinics aren’t created equally. As such, make sure you consider the following factors to help you choose the right facility!
1. Specializes in the Specific Condition You Need Treatment For
If you haven’t been to one yet, you may be wondering what is an urgent care clinic. You may be unsure what urgent care gets used for and when the best time to go to one is.
Urgent care services are for non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses that need immediate care. These include treatment for painful ear infections, colds, fever, influenza, and even burns. You can also get urgent care for bladder infections, muscle strains, or bone fractures.
That’s what urgent care is and should be able to offer you. Some facilities, however, may not have an extensive list of treatment options.
As such, be sure to first check the services offered by the urgent care center you’ll visit. It should specialize in the specific condition you suffer from.
2. Accepts Your Insurance
Were you aware that the U.S. is home to over 900 health insurance companies? That’s why it’s not surprising that many urgent care clinics don’t accept all insurance.
To lower your costs, be sure the urgent care clinic you choose accepts your insurance. Don’t worry though, as reliable centers accept insurance from most major carriers.
3. A Location That You Can Quickly Get To
Now that you know when to go to urgent care, you want to make sure you get to one quickly. After all, you wouldn’t want to travel for an hour to get treatment for what you think is a second-degree burn injury. Nor can you afford to delay treatment for muscle strains and bone fractures.
The bottom line is, if you live or work in or near Destin, choose an urgent care center located in the city.
4. Compliance with HIPAA
Check the clinic’s compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
This law protects the digital information of patients. This includes personal patient details, health details, and yes, financial information.
5. Hours of Operation (And If Walk-Ins Are Welcome)
Urgent care centers have different operational hours, with some opening as early as 9 AM. The most reliable clinics are also open until evening. Moreover, they’re open seven days a week, with some attending to patients even during holidays!
You want to be able to walk-in to one whenever you need urgent care, so choose one that fits your schedule.
Get the Urgent Care in Destin You Need Now
There you have it, the most important things to look for in urgent care in Destin, Florida. Keep these in mind, so that you can always get the high level and quality of urgent care you need to get back on your feet!
Need reliable and prompt urgent care services now?
If so, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us as soon as possible! The sooner you visit us, the sooner we can help you get back to being healthy.
