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Key Points
- Urgent care offers immediate medical attention for non-life-threatening conditions.
- Bring personal information, medical supplies, and comfort items for a comfortable visit.
- Follow COVID-19 precautions, choose the right clinic, and manage anxiety for a stress-free experience.
To make your visit to urgent care as smooth and efficient as possible, it's important to come prepared with everything you need.
To help you prepare for your next urgent care visit, we've put together the ultimate checklist of what to bring—from important medical information to comfort items that can help you pass the time. By bringing everything you need you can streamline your visit, reduce stress, and get back to feeling your best as soon as possible.
What is Urgent Care?
Urgent care is a type of medical facility that provides immediate medical attention for non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries. According to the Urgent Care Association, many urgent care clinics are open on weekends and offer extended hours to accommodate patients who need medical attention outside of regular business hours.
Urgent care clinics offer a wide range of medical services. Some of the services you may be able to get at urgent care include:
- Treatment for the symptoms of colds, flu, and COVID-19
- Mild to moderate allergic reactions
- Closed fractures
- Muscle sprains or strains
- Minor lacerations that may need stitches
- Minor burns
- STD testing and treatment
- Treatment for the symptoms of a UTI
- Mild to moderate infections
- Lab testing and imaging services
- Physicals for work, travel, or sports
- Immunizations
One of the unique benefits of urgent care clinics is that they offer walk-in appointments for most minor to moderate illnesses and injuries. Urgent care clinics also typically have shorter wait times than emergency rooms, according to the Urgent Care Association.
Personal Information
When you visit urgent care, you'll need to provide your personal information for billing purposes and also to help your urgent care provider make the right diagnosis. Here is a comprehensive list of what you will need for the check-in and registration process, according to ZocDoc.com:
- Identification - Bring a valid form of ID, such as a driver’s license or passport.
- Insurance information - Bring your insurance card if you have one.
- A form of payment, such as cash or credit card - Many urgent care clinics require a downpayment or co-pay at the time of service.
- Name and contact information for your emergency contact.
- A list of your current medications - This will help your healthcare provider understand your medical history and avoid any potential drug interactions.
- Your request for an interpreter if you need one.
What You Need During Your Visit
When it comes time to visit with your urgent care provider, you will likely need to be prepared to answer questions about the following:
- Your past medical history, including details about any chronic conditions, surgeries, or hospitalizations you’ve had.
- Your medications, including herbal supplements and over-the-counter medications.
- Your allergies, including medication allergies, environmental allergies, and food allergies if applicable to your condition
- Your family history, especially major medical conditions, like heart disease and cancer
Prepare to Talk About Your Symptoms and Concerns
During your visit at urgent care, it's important to be prepared to discuss your symptoms and any concerns you may have with the healthcare provider. This will help ensure that you receive the most appropriate care and treatment.
How to Describe Your Symptoms
Be prepared to describe your symptoms in detail. This includes:
- When your symptoms started
- How often your symptoms occur
- Anything that makes your symptoms worse or better
- Home remedies or over-the-counter treatments that you have tried
Some symptoms will need specific details. For example, if you have a fever, be sure to mention what your temperature has been and how long you've had the fever. If you are having pain, it is important to describe what the pain feels like, where it is exactly, and when it started.
It can be helpful to create a timeline of your symptoms. This can include when they started, any changes in severity, and any treatments you've tried. All of this information can help the healthcare provider determine the cause of your symptoms and the best course of action.
Bringing Comfort Items
When you're heading to urgent care, you want to make sure you're as comfortable as possible. Here are some items you should consider bringing along
- Comfortable clothing - Opt for loose-fitting clothing that won't constrict you or rub against any sensitive areas. You might also want to bring a sweater or jacket in case the waiting room is chilly.
- Water bottle - Staying hydrated is important, especially if you're not feeling well. Bring a water bottle with you so you can sip on water throughout your visit.
- Reading material or entertainment - Waiting can be boring, so bring along something to keep you entertained. A book, magazine, or even your phone can help pass the time. Just be mindful of any noise or distractions you might cause to others in the waiting room.
Medical Supplies
When preparing for a visit to urgent care, it's important to bring any necessary medical supplies to ensure a smooth visit. Here are some medical supplies that you should remember to bring with you:
- Inhaler - If you have asthma or other respiratory issues, it's important to bring your inhaler with you to urgent care.
- EpiPen - If you have a severe allergy, it's important to bring your EpiPen with you to urgent care.
- Blood glucose monitor - If you have diabetes, it's important to bring your blood glucose monitor with you to urgent care.
Other Necessary Medical Supplies
In addition to the above supplies, you may need to bring other necessary medical supplies, such as:
- Prescription medications
- Over-the-counter medications
- Medical devices (e.g. hearing aids, wheelchair)
- Medical records and documentation
Payment Plans and Financial Assistance
If you are concerned about the cost of your visit, it's important to ask about payment plans or financial assistance options. Some urgent care clinics offer payment plans that allow you to pay off your bill over time. Others may offer financial assistance programs for those who qualify. It's important to ask about these options before your visit to ensure that you are prepared.
Prepare for Aftercare or Follow-up
After you leave urgent care, it's important to follow any instructions provided by your healthcare provider to ensure a smooth recovery. Your healthcare provider may give you specific instructions to follow after your visit. These might include things like:
- Resting for a certain period of time
- Avoiding certain activities or foods
- Taking medication as prescribed
- Monitoring your symptoms and reporting any changes
- Coming back for a follow-up in a certain amount of time
- Consulting a specialist
If your healthcare provider prescribes medication, make sure you understand how and when to take it. Ask any questions you have about potential side effects or interactions with other medications you may be taking. Following these instructions carefully can help you avoid complications and promote healing.
Urgent Care Vs. Emergency Room Care
While urgent care clinics can provide many of the same services as emergency rooms, there are some key differences to keep in mind. The first and most prominent difference is that urgent care clinics are designed for non-life and limb-threatening illnesses and injuries, while emergency rooms are equipped to handle more serious medical emergencies.
Another benefit of urgent care clinics is that they typically offer shorter wait times than emergency rooms, according to Urgent Care Association. However, wait times can vary depending on the clinic and the time of day. Some clinics also offer online scheduling options to help you save time.
Many urgent care clinics now offer telemedicine services, which allow you to consult with a healthcare provider remotely. This can be a convenient option if you are unable to visit a clinic in person.
Tips for Managing Anxiety or Stress Related to Seeking Medical Care
If you experience anxiety or stress related to seeking medical care, there are a few strategies you can try, according to the Mayo Clinic. These may include deep breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, or seeking support from a trusted friend or family member.
How to Choose an Urgent Care Facility
When choosing an urgent care clinic that is right for you, consider the clinic’s location, hours of operation, services offered, and their reputation. Check online reviews to see what past patients have to say, and call them to find out if they accept your insurance.
Frequently asked questions
What is Urgent Care and what services does it offer?
Urgent care is a type of medical facility that provides immediate medical attention for non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries. They offer a wide range of services including treatment for symptoms of colds, flu, and COVID-19, mild to moderate allergic reactions, closed fractures, minor burns, STD testing and treatment, lab testing and imaging services, physicals for work, travel, or sports, immunizations, and more.What personal information do I need to provide when I visit an Urgent Care?
When you visit urgent care, you'll need to provide your identification, insurance information, a form of payment, name and contact information for your emergency contact, a list of your current medications, and your request for an interpreter if you need one.What should I be prepared to discuss with my healthcare provider during my Urgent Care visit?
You should be prepared to discuss your past medical history, your medications, your allergies, your family history, and your symptoms in detail. This includes when your symptoms started, how often they occur, anything that makes your symptoms worse or better, and any home remedies or over-the-counter treatments that you have tried.What comfort items should I consider bringing to Urgent Care?
You should consider bringing comfortable clothing, a water bottle, and reading material or entertainment to help pass the time during your visit.What medical supplies should I bring to Urgent Care?
You should bring any necessary medical supplies such as your inhaler if you have asthma or other respiratory issues, your EpiPen if you have a severe allergy, your blood glucose monitor if you have diabetes, prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, medical devices, and medical records and documentation.What should I do if I am concerned about the cost of my Urgent Care visit?
If you are concerned about the cost of your visit, you should ask about payment plans or financial assistance options. Some urgent care clinics offer payment plans that allow you to pay off your bill over time, while others may offer financial assistance programs for those who qualify.What should I do after my Urgent Care visit?
After your visit, you should follow any instructions provided by your healthcare provider. These might include resting for a certain period of time, avoiding certain activities or foods, taking medication as prescribed, monitoring your symptoms and reporting any changes, coming back for a follow-up in a certain amount of time, or consulting a specialist.How do Urgent Care clinics differ from Emergency Rooms?
Urgent care clinics are designed for non-life and limb-threatening illnesses and injuries, while emergency rooms are equipped to handle more serious medical emergencies. Urgent care clinics typically offer shorter wait times than emergency rooms and many offer telemedicine services, which allow you to consult with a healthcare provider remotely.
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