Urgent care clinics are different from emergency rooms. While they can provide some of the same services, urgent care centers are a less expensive alternative for non-life-threatening medical care. Here are 10 fast stats you should know about urgent care clinics.

1. On average, urgent care visits cost between $100 and $200. ER visits are usually cost over $1000 dollar a visit, with an average visit costing between $1200 and $1300. 1

2. The most common injuries treated at urgent care clinics are: 2

• Fractures
• Whiplash
• Sprains of the ankle, knee, and/or shoulder
• Cuts and Lacerations
• Burns
• Injuries from accidents

3. The most common Illnesses treated at urgent care clinics are: 2

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Allergies and asthma
• Pink eye
• Mono
• Bronchitis
• Common cold
• Flu
• Ear infection
• Strep throat
• Head lice

4. On average, an emergency room patient waits about 2.4 hours to receive care. 3 In most urgent care clinics, patients are able to see a doctor within an hour. 57% of urgent care patients experience a wait time less than 15 minutes. 4

5. In 2018, there were 8,774 urgent care clinics open in the US. 5

6. In 2018, of the patients presented in urgent care clinics, 98% of patients were in the appropriate setting to be treated. Only 2% of patients were diverted to emergency care locations. 5

7. On average, 350 patients visit urgent care clinics per week. 6

8. According to one study, 32.1% of all ER visits are non-urgent. Patients with non-urgent status could have received this care at an urgent care clinic.7

9. 75% of urgent care clinics have a family practice specialist on staff. 47% have an emergency medicine specialist on staff. 7 

10. More than $18 billion dollars could have been saved annually by all non-urgent ER patients if an urgent care clinic was utilized. 8  According to debt.org, not using urgent care centers is “why more than 75 million people complained they were having problems paying off medical debt”.

Deciding whether or not to go to the emergency room can be a stressful decision. Here is some information on when the urgent care center is appropriate for your medical needs. Talk to your primary care doctor if you have additional questions about when you should go to the urgent care center versus emergency care.

Our Urgent Care locations provide affordable, convenient care for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Save the cost of an emergency room visit and see one of our providers without an appointment.