Experts say there are several reasons behind the growth of urgent care and immediate care facilities. Frequently, people who don’t have insurance go to the emergency room for treatment, of all types of ailments. However, people are changing that habit because of the long wait times, and expensive bills received later. The CDC reports urgent and immediate care facilities started in the 70’s, and today there are more than 10,000.
There’s also a shortage of primary care physicians (PCPs). High malpractice insurance costs, and the high cost of doing business, have led to fewer physicians trying to make it on their own. It’s often difficult to see a PCP without an appointment. You don’t have to have an appointment at STAT Health. Facilities like STAT Health Immediate Medical Care offer sick people a new option. Similarly, to the emergency room, they’re open seven days a week. During the week, their clinics are open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Their fees are cheaper than the emergency room. And, they’re offering an alternative to the PCP, by performing a lot of medical services.
STAT Health Immediate Medical Care handles occupational medicine, which used to be the venue of the PCP. Businesses brokered contracts with these facilities, because they’re cheaper and they have more than one office. The facilities handle pre-employment physicals, drug and alcohol tests, evaluation of workers’ compensation injuries and return to work physicals after injury or illness. STAT Health Immediate Medical Care has several locations in the New York area, and plans to open more.
STAT Health Immediate Medical Care offers pediatric and adult urgent care. They’re able to treat children, so they don’t have to wait in the emergency room. They also perform vaccinations, flu shots and tuberculosis screenings, lab testing, EKGS and x-rays.
Urgent and Immediate Care facilities take all kinds of insurance. And, they treat people who don’t have insurance–you can pay in cash. Many facilities offer self-pay discounts. Health Care is changing and it’s valuable to have another option for service. Frequently, people get ill on the weekends, and the thought of having to visit the E.R. makes them sicker. Now, there’s a better option.
