Do I Need an Appointment for an Urgent Care?

Published Jul 10, 2018

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Updated Dec 17, 2024

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Est. reading time: 1 minutes

Key points

  • Urgent care centers accept walk-ins and offer a wide range of services.
  • Online check-in is available at many urgent care centers, allowing patients to fill out forms at home.
  • The average wait time for walk-in patients at urgent care centers is 15-45 minutes.
  • Urgent care centers are not suitable for major traumas or chronic conditions. FAQs: Q: Do I need to make an appointment for an urgent care visit? A: No, urgent care centers accept walk-ins, but you can make an appointment if you prefer. Q: Is there an option to check-in online before arriving at the urgent care center? A: Yes, many urgent care centers offer online check-in, allowing you to fill out medical history forms at home. Q: What is the average wait time for walk-in patients at urgent care centers? A: The average wait time for walk-in patients at urgent care centers is between 15 and 45 minutes. Q: Can I go to an urgent care center for a major trauma or chronic condition? A: No, urgent care centers are not equipped to handle major traumas or chronic conditions. These should be treated by a medical professional or emergency room.
  • Despite potential wait times for walk-in patients, the average wait time at urgent care centers is typically between 15 to 45 minutes.
Do I Need an Appointment for an Urgent Care?

Urgent Care Appointments

While you do not need an appointment for urgent care treatment, you can make one. Many locations now offer online check-in, which allows a patient to fill out medical history forms at home while they wait for their appointment. For example, if you check-in online and your wait time is 45 minutes, then you could fill out the form and drive to the center just in time for your time slot. That would mean less time in a waiting room and more time in the comfort of your own home.

Patients who choose to walk-in might have to wait a little longer, as others will have checked-in online beforehand. However, the average wait time for an urgent care walk-in patient is just 15-45 minutes.

How to Find an Urgent Care Center

There are many urgent care centers to choose from. A patient has many things to consider when choosing a location, too. Here are the basic questions patients should ask themselves:

  • Is it close to home?
  • Is the urgent care center certified?
  • Are they open? What are their hours?
  • Does the center have doctors, PAs, or NPs?

When you find a center that is close to home and fits your needs, you can fill out a medical history form and have it waiting for your next urgent medical condition.

Urgent care is not for everyone. If you have a chronic condition, it is best to seek a medical professional who will be able to treat you consistently. Also, if you have a major trauma you should go directly to an emergency room. Urgent care centers do not treat loss of consciousness, major accidents, uncontrollable bleeding, or labor.

FAQs

What are some advantages of choosing urgent care centers?

Urgent care centers offer extended hours, wide range of services, and accept nearly all of their patients as walk-ins. They also offer the convenience of online check-ins, which can reduce waiting times.

Do I need to make an appointment for an urgent care visit?

No, you do not need an appointment for an urgent care visit. However, many locations offer online check-in, which allows you to fill out medical history forms at home and reduces your waiting time at the center.

What is the average wait time for walk-in patients at urgent care centers?

The average wait time for walk-in patients at urgent care centers is typically between 15 to 45 minutes.

What factors should I consider when choosing an urgent care center?

When choosing an urgent care center, consider its proximity to your home, whether the center is certified, its operating hours, and the type of medical professionals available at the center.

Can I get treatment at an urgent care center for a chronic condition?

No, if you have a chronic condition, it is best to seek a medical professional who can provide consistent treatment.

Are there any conditions that urgent care centers do not treat?

Yes, urgent care centers do not treat loss of consciousness, major accidents, uncontrollable bleeding, or labor. In such cases, it is recommended to go directly to an emergency room.

Can I fill out my medical history form at home before visiting an urgent care center?

Yes, many urgent care centers offer online check-in options which allow you to fill out your medical history form at home.

What is the benefit of online check-in at urgent care centers?

Online check-in allows you to fill out your medical history form at home and reduces your waiting time at the center. This means less time spent in the waiting room and more time at home.

Dr. Rob Rohatsch, MD, is a Board-Certified Emergency Medicine physician and urgent care executive. He earned his MD from Jefferson Medical College, currently serves on multiple boards and is Solv’s Chief Medical Officer.

How we reviewed this article

Medically reviewed

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History

Solv’s team of medical writers and experts review and update our articles when new information becomes available.

  • July 10 2018

    Written by Solv Editorial Team

    Medically reviewed by: Dr. Rob Rohatsch, MD

Solv’s team of medical writers and experts review and update our articles when new information becomes available.

  • July 10 2018

    Written by Solv Editorial Team

    Medically reviewed by: Dr. Rob Rohatsch, MD

Topics in this article

Emergency CarePrimary CareWalk In ClinicHealthcare CostsUrgent Care

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