The Best Of Savannah Doctors 2018

Q. There’s often confusion about what urgent centers do and when a person should visit one. What’s the 4-1-1?

A. Who we care for: As the demand for, and shortage of, primary care providers continues to climb and family schedules are busier than ever, urgent care has filled a much-needed service void in the community. Caring for all ages, from babies to the elderly, urgent care was once considered a questionable alternative to care but has become a confident “go-to” for many.  

What we provide: Urgent cares that are certified by the Urgent Care Association of America (UCAOA), such as ExperCARE, are open seven days a week and extended hours because illness and injuries don’t just happen during office hours, and everything else doesn’t necessarily need the Emergency Room.  

State of the art facilities equipped with top-notch equipment and teams with extensive training and a focus on the patient experience are a refreshing alternative to long waits in the ER or days to get in to be seen. Certified urgent care centers also have X-ray and laboratory capabilities, and the ability to perform minor surgical procedures such as suturing. ExperCARE provides experienced evaluation and treatment of complaints related to all body systems, administers IV fluids and many vaccines, performs school, sports and employer physicals, and much more. 

When you need us: The good news is the majority of medical situations most people face every day are not life threatening. And while sprains, strains, minor breaks, cuts, common colds and flu are no fun, they are all treatable at an urgent care. The even better news is that by appropriately choosing urgent care over an ER, you’re going to save significant time and money. 

There are some medical conditions that are considered emergencies because they can require rapid or advanced treatments (such as surgery) that are only available in a hospital setting. For instance, if you’re experiencing chest pain or difficulty breathing, severe abdominal pain, weakness or numbness on one side, slurred speech, fainting/change in mental state, vaginal bleeding with pregnancy or if you have sustained serious burns or a severe head or eye injury, it’s best to head to the ER. 

How insurance works: Urgent care centers can be in-network with your insurance company and often are, but not always. Urgent care centers, like ExperCARE, who are in-network with major insurance companies, should file the claim for you with your carrier, just like you are used to when going to the doctor.  The reimbursement for that claim is subject to your particular plan and the benefits associated with it, just like a visit to any in-network provider.   

Urgent care centers are a great point of access to healthcare for those without insurance as well; with affordable cash pay rates, a wide-range of services offered and transparency regarding pricing and options, this is a great choice of place to get the care you need without breaking the bank.