Urgent care centers offer fast, affordable treatment for non-emergency illnesses and injuries—without the long wait times or high costs of the ER. Whether you need care after hours, on weekends, or same-day, urgent care is a convenient option for busy individuals and families. With Solv, you can easily compare top-rated urgent care centers near you, see real-time availability, and book a visit—virtually or in-person—in just a few clicks.
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What is urgent care?
Urgent care centers provide same-day treatment for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. They fill the gap between your primary care doctor and the emergency room—offering extended hours, walk-in availability, and faster, more affordable service.
You can visit urgent care for things like colds, sprains, minor cuts, and flu symptoms. Many clinics also offer lab testing, X-rays, physicals, vaccinations, and even telemedicine.
When to visit an urgent care center
Urgent care is ideal when you need prompt medical attention but it’s not an emergency. You should consider urgent care if:
- Your symptoms can’t wait for a primary care appointment
- Your condition isn’t serious enough for the ER
- You need care after hours or on weekends
- You want a faster, more affordable alternative to the ER
Common reasons to visit include:
- Cold and flu symptoms
- Sore throat, sinus infections, or ear pain
- Sprains, minor fractures, and joint pain
- Cuts, rashes, or minor burns
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Lab tests or X-rays
Urgent care vs emergency room (ER)
Understanding the difference between urgent care and the ER can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress.
Urgent care
Best for non-life threatening health concerns:
- Cold and flu symptoms
- Sprains, minor fractures, and joint pain
- UTIs, ear infections, or rashes
- Cuts, burns, or minor injuries
- X-rays, lab tests, and physicals
- Typically open evenings and weekends
- Lower cost and shorter wait times than the ER
Emergency room (ER)
Meant for serious or life-threatening emergencies:
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Stroke symptoms (slurred speech, numbness)
- Severe injuries or bleeding
- Head trauma or seizures
- Sudden confusion or loss of consciousness
- Open 24/7 with access to advanced care
- Higher cost and longer wait times for non-emergencies
When it’s not a true emergency, urgent care is the faster, more affordable choice. Solv helps you find and book trusted urgent care centers near you—open now and ready to help.
Common urgent care services
Virtual urgent care (telemedicine)
Telemedicine is a fast, secure way to get care from an urgent care provider without visiting the clinic. Many urgent care centers offer virtual visits for common, non-severe symptoms—ideal when you need care from home, after hours, or while traveling. Virtual care is best for symptoms aligning with:
- Cold, flu, or COVID-19 symptoms
- Allergies or sinus issues
- Rashes, skin concerns, or pink eye
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Medication refills (when appropriate)
Telemedicine services are available by state and usually require you to be physically located in the state where the provider is licensed. You can filter for virtual options on Solv when booking. Learn more »
Cost of urgent care
Urgent care is a cost-effective option for treating non-emergency conditions. Most visits cost $100–$125 for cash-pay patients, with additional charges for labs, imaging, medications, or procedures like stitches or splints.
With insurance you'll typically have a copay of $25-50, depending on your plan. Some services may require additional costs:
Example add-on costs:
- Flu test: $30–$50
- X-ray: $50–$150
- Stitches or wound care: $75–$200
- Vaccines: $20-40
In comparison, an emergency room visit can cost $1,300 or more—even for minor issues that urgent care can handle. Choosing urgent care can save you time and hundreds of dollars.
How to choose an urgent care provider
Not all urgent care centers are the same. Choosing the right one ensures faster care, fewer surprises, and a better experience. Here’s what to consider:
- Proximity and availability: Look for clinics near you that are open now or offer same-day visits
- Accepted insurance: Confirm the clinic takes your plan to avoid surprise bills
- Reviews and ratings: Read patient feedback on wait times, service, and staff experience
- Services offered: Make sure the clinic provides the care you need (e.g., X-rays, testing, physicals)
- Ability to book online: Use platforms like Solv to schedule your visit quickly and easily
Solv makes it simple to compare clinics and book appointments online in just a few clicks.

FAQs
Can I take my child to urgent care?
Yes, most urgent care centers treat children for common illnesses and minor injuries. Some clinics even specialize in pediatric urgent care with providers trained in children’s health.
Do I need an appointment, or can I just walk in?
Many urgent care centers accept walk-ins, but booking online through Solv lets you reserve your spot, reduce your wait time, and ensure the clinic is open and available.
How long will I wait at an urgent care clinic?
Wait times vary by location, time of day, and patient volume. Booking ahead with Solv helps minimize your wait—most visits are completed within an hour.
What should I bring to my urgent care visit?
Bring a photo ID, your insurance card, a list of medications, and any relevant medical history. For minors, a parent or legal guardian should accompany the child.
Can urgent care refill my regular prescriptions?
Urgent care providers can offer short-term refills for common medications but may refer you to your primary care doctor for ongoing or controlled prescriptions.
What happens if the urgent care can’t treat my condition?
If your condition requires emergency or specialized care, the provider will refer you to an ER or specialist and may help coordinate the next steps for your treatment.
Will urgent care share my visit summary with my primary doctor?
Some urgent care centers will send visit notes to your primary care provider, especially if you request it. You can also ask for a printed or digital summary to share yourself.
How do I know if a clinic takes my insurance?
When booking through Solv, you can filter by accepted insurance or view insurance details on each clinic’s profile. For full clarity, it’s always a good idea to confirm with the clinic directly.
How we reviewed this article
Medically reviewed
View this article’s sources and history, and read more about Solv’s Content Mission Statement, editorial process, and editorial team.
Sources
5 sources
Solv has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
- Urgent Care Association (UCA): 2024 Benchmarking Report.
https://urgentcareassociation.org/product-category/industry-data/benchmarking/
- Urgent care fast facts.
https://urgentcareassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Urgent-Care-Fast-Facts.pdf (PDF)
- 9 things you didn’t know you can do at urgent care
https://www.osfhealthcare.org/blog/10-surprising-things-urgent-care-can-do/
- Urgent care data (UCA)
https://urgentcareassociation.org/about/urgent-care-data/
- What is urgent care medicine? (AAUCM)
https://aaucm.org/what-is-urgent-care-medicine/
5 sources
Solv has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
- Urgent Care Association (UCA): 2024 Benchmarking Report.
https://urgentcareassociation.org/product-category/industry-data/benchmarking/
- Urgent care fast facts.
https://urgentcareassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Urgent-Care-Fast-Facts.pdf (PDF)
- 9 things you didn’t know you can do at urgent care
https://www.osfhealthcare.org/blog/10-surprising-things-urgent-care-can-do/
- Urgent care data (UCA)
https://urgentcareassociation.org/about/urgent-care-data/
- What is urgent care medicine? (AAUCM)
https://aaucm.org/what-is-urgent-care-medicine/
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