ExperCARE Leads the Way as On-Demand Service Changes Healthcare 

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Urgent care centers like ExperCARE have been popping up across the country as shifting consumer demands drive the healthcare system to adapt to the needs of a more mobile and convenience driven society.

ExperCARE first opened its doors in Richmond Hill in 2009 when the emergence of convenient, on-demand healthcare was just starting to take root.  The Urgent Care Association (UCA) recently reported that the number of Urgent Care centers has grown from 6,100 in 2013 to 9,616 in 2019; a 58% increase. According to the UCA 2019 Benchmark Report, the presence of urgent care centers continues to grow and they recognized almost 10% growth in 2019 vs. the previous year. .

ExperCARE has grown along with the industry,  opening its second location in 2015 and a third location, in downtown Savannah, in 2020. What is driving the growth of urgent care clinics like ours?   Urgent care offers the convenient, efficient, and quality care that consumers want.

Like many urgent care centers, ExperCARE is open seven days a week with extended evening and weekend hours. We allow patients to book ahead if they prefer,  but the majority of our visits are from walk-in, on-demand service. The UCA report found that 92% of patients reported seeing a provider in 30 minutes or less at urgent care centers, with no appointment necessary. Compare that to the average wait time to see a primary care physician in Savannah (61 days) and you can see why urgent care centers now account for 29% of all primary care visits in the country.  ExperCARE is very comfortable and experienced with providing patients with the routine care they need to stay healthy.

Urgent care services are a cost saver for insurers, employers and patients. ExperCARE is in network with all major health insurance and also offers affordable cash rates.  After normal doctor’s office hours patients have two choices: emergency room or urgent care. A 2016 study in the Journal of Emergency Medicine found that ER treatments cost about 10 times more (an average of about $2,200) than treatment for the same diagnosis in an urgent care center (about $168).

Over the last five years, the number of primary care office visits have steadily declined as more patients have sought the convenience and money-saving services of urgent care. The innovation and competition created by urgent care centers has prompted traditional practices to offer more same-day appointments, convenient hours and communication methods. This is creating a future healthcare model that will be more responsive to patient needs.

Currently, one-quarter of patients seeking care at urgent care centers are unaffiliated with a primary care provider or medical home, according to the UCA Benchmark Report. Younger and often healthier patients aren’t looking for long-term relationships with care providers. These consumers, who may be paying out of pocket or paying high deductibles, just want to feel better fast and pay less.

Urgent care centers like ExperCARE are improving patient outcomes while reducing costs and expediting service. We are proud to be a forerunner in providing convenient, efficient and compassionate care.  Make ExperCARE your first choice for on-demand healthcare.

Video

https://www.dropbox.com/s/j63ahuflmm4uwxk/Evolution%20Future%20of%20Urgent%20Care.mp4?dl=0

Transcript of Video

The future of healthcare is going to look a lot like urgent care looks now. People are appreciating the fact they’re able to walk in without an appointment on their own schedule as opposed to working with appointments that are pre-booked weeks and months in advance that may or may not be convenient or based on the time that they need the service. So, we’re excited at ExperCARE to continue to deliver that access to healthcare at a super high level and give people not only want they need but also what they want when they want it.

Now urgent care is really being known as a reliable point of access in our healthcare system. With ERs being overcrowded and primary care physicians having full panels and inability to get in and not having extended hours and weekend availability, people need healthcare when they’re sick or injured. And so, urgent care has been a great solution to that. ExperCARE is really, we’ve responded to that. We’ve evolved with that and being able to both make an appointment while continuing to take walk-in services seven days a week is a huge part of why people continue to embrace urgent care and why urgent care isn’t going anywhere.

You Deserve On-Demand Access When it Comes to Your Healthcare Needs….

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What could be more immediate than your health? What could be a more pressing and time-sensitive issue? And yet, for decades the health industry expected patients to wait for hours in an emergency room or for weeks to make an appointment with their regular provider.

We saw this dilemma on the faces of my friends and family members who turned to us for help with their medical issues because they had nowhere else to go. It’s what inspired us to find a solution by opening our first urgent care location in June of 2009. The concept was simple, and effective. Quality, on-demand healthcare. No appointment necessary. No long waits. You can use your insurance, or pay affordable cash rates. But above all, access to quality healthcare you can trust, before a small problem festers and becomes a bigger one.

Nearly 12 years later, ExperCARE’s continuous expansion and growth supports the concept of  on-demand healthcare filling a much needed void in our healthcare system and in our communities. In a country that has same-day delivery for goods and services and instant delivery of entertainment, why should we wait three weeks, and sometimes three months(!!) to address a medical concern?

And yet, around the country, many people continue to wait because they don’t have access to the type of on-demand, high-quality healthcare that ExperCARE provides. According to a Merritt Hawkins study in 2017, a survey conducted in 15 major cities and 15 mid-sized markets of the United States, on average, it takes 24 days for new patients to get an appointment with a physician. That wait is even longer in Savannah, which averages 35 days. The study found that even cities with the highest doctor-to-patient ratios had long wait times.

Patients seek on-demand healthcare because of their busy schedules and the unpredictable nature of illnesses and injuries. Many can’t afford to take time off work to see a doctor or don’t want to cash in their hard-earned vacation time to sit in a waiting room.  This is one reason why our customers and their families love that we are open seven days a week, extended hours. In addition, our facilities are also open throughout the workweek to maximize availability when it is most convenient!

Did you know that at ExperCARE, we also partner with and support employers with their occupational health programs by offering a full-range of services such as drug and alcohol testing, physicals, PFT’s, audiometry, immunizations and experienced workers compensation injury evaluation and management. We understand how to serve both the employer and the employee while treating the injury appropriately and efficiently, minimizing the need for lost time, OSHA recordability, and unnecessary work restrictions.

ExperCARE’s most recent expansion and continued growth is proof that this model is benefitting not only patients and their families but also employers, providers and insurers by decreasing crowding in Emergency Departments and offering an effective alternative to healthcare access.

The fact that all major insurers have embraced our delivery model is just another example of how ExperCARE’s model of on-demand access to healthcare is also benefiting the insurance industry. The consumer-driven business model saves insurers money because people are more likely to seek non-emergent medical attention in an appropriate setting such as an urgent care versus an Emergency Room, if it’s accessible, convenient and affordable. Early detection and treatment could head off a more serious illness that might result in more expensive hospitalization or emergency care.

ExperCARE’s access to healthcare model is the wave of the future. Stop by and see Why!

Transcript of Video

We’ve been delivering care since June 1 of 2009 in Richmond Hill. I had moved to Richmond Hill not too long before that. At the time I was seeing friends and family members in my kitchen sometimes because there was nowhere to go.

There’s such a need for on-demand medical care. This whole idea of retail medicine and on-demand health care when you need it that’s not a compromise was an industry that was being born again and so I think the complement of being in this community that had a need with an industry that was on it’s way up was really an exciting time.

So, June 1, 2009 we opened our doors in Richmond Hill. And the second location is next to Dick’s Sporting Goods in Savannah right on Mall Boulevard. And our third and newest location downtown on Abercorn. It is so exciting. Who knows where we’re going to go next? Stay tuned.

ExperCARE Sponsors First Downtown Business Association Meeting

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After having just opened our newest downtown location on Abercorn Street, Nov 16th, we were thrilled to sponsor the Downtown Business Association’s first in-person meeting on Nov. 18. It was a pleasure to meet and mingle with the downtown business owners who will be a huge part of our new downtown clinic. We were able to share with them not only the award-winning urgent care and routine care services we offer, but also the full range of occupational medicine services, including experienced workers compensation injury evaluation and treatment, drug and alcohol testing, PFT’s, audiometry, lab and radiological testing, rapid and PCR COVID testing and much more.

We received so much positive feedback from the attendees and association members  regarding the opening of our state-of-the-art clinic in the downtown market and the significant improvement of access to excellent quality healthcare, that is in-network with insurance!  DBA members were also excited about the access for residents and the many visitors that travel to Savannah every year.

Visit Savannah President Joe Marinelli’s presence as the keynote speaker at the event was also fortuitous. Although we expect downtown businesses and residents to make up the majority of our patients, our business model also includes service to tourists visiting our great city. We are so grateful for hospitality leaders like Mr. Marinelli’s team who have done their best to encourage tourism this year and are making plans for a better 2021. We’re excited to be in the position to serve as downtown Savannah’s most-loved healthcare provider, especially as the economy and tourism industry continue to grow into the next year.

Link to Video

https://fox28media.com/news/local/downtown-business-association-visit-savannah-discuss-future-of-savannahs-tourism

Transcript of Video

Local businesses in downtown Savannah were hit pretty hard during the height of the Covid 19 pandemic, but city officials say tourists are slowly coming back to town. The Downtown Business Association and Visit Savannah leaders held their monthly luncheon today to keep business owners updated. Fox 28’s Cody Thomas was there and gave a look into the future of Savannah’s tourism during the pandemic.

Visit Savannah President Joe Marinelli calls the current state of Savannah’s tourism a “tale of two stories.”

“Sunday night, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, our occupancies continue to be low, generally in the 45 to 55 percent range. But on the weekends, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, our occupancies are getting up into the mid-70s and even mid-80s,” Marinelli said.

Marinelli said the good news is leisure travelers are coming back into town, but the bad news is there are still few business travelers and no conventions, or meetings, which keep the weekday numbers down.

“All of those kinds of events really stimulate higher occupancy numbers where we would typically be in the 70 percent range mid-week, and in the 90 percent range on the weekends,” he said.

He also said hotel/motel tax collections are running at about 48 percent of what they expected this year. But one of their main focuses remains on the Visit Savannah campaign which aims to get drive-market visitors into town.

“When tourism gets back to normal, we feel confident that we’ll rebound,” J. Parker Limited Owner Dale Parker said.  J. Parker Limited in Savannah was shut down most of April. Dale said local traffic is what kept them afloat. “That can make the difference between a business surviving and not,” Parker said.

Catherine Grant also just opened Expercare Health downtown on Monday and said though there were challenges, she’s confident in the community’s support.

Catherine Grant, CEO/Founder of Expercare Health: “It’s everything, we love to serve the visitors that come, of course for their intermittent needs, but being able to serve the communities that you live in is what it’s really all about,” Grant said.

Marinelli also said they’re continuing to market toward cities that have nonstop air service to Savannah’s airport.

ExperCARE Opens Third Location: New Downtown Clinic to Serve Residents, Businesses and Visitors

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Continuing its commitment to convenient, efficient and consistent healthcare, ExperCARE opened a third location in downtown Savannah on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020. The new, 2,000-square-foot clinic at 818 Abercorn St. will open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. The state-of-the-art facility is equipped to handle routine care, occupational visits such as employment physicals and drug and alcohol screenings, as well as urgent care, including stitches, digital x-rays, splinting, etc.. A provider and a board-certified radiologist are always available on site. “We don’t believe our patients should have to sacrifice service for convenience,” said Founder and CEO Catherine Grant. “When you’re sick or injured, you want to be seen right away in a clean and convenient location by a highly-qualified provider who accepts your insurance. We strive every day to offer the highest level of personal care and are thrilled to be adding a location in historic downtown Savannah.

Women Who Rule Campaign: Catherine Grant Chosen as a “Leader of Change”

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Last month was ExperSPECIAL for me, as I was chosen to serve as a “leader of change” for the United Way of the Coastal Empire’s Women Who Rule campaign. It was a true privilege and honor to tell my story about the women who rule in my life. I was also given the opportunity to showcase ExperCARE and the many things it has taught me over the past 11 years.

This year, due to unprecedented times, the entire campaign was virtual- instead of an in-person panel discussion. But the show must go on! So, I was honored to virtually ‘sit’ alongside three esteemed community change-makers this year and share my story. Cecilia Arango (of Thomas & Hutton), Mary Noelia (of Latin Chicks & Mint to Be Mojito Bar), Edna Branch Jackson (former Mayor of Savannah), and I were interviewed live on Facebook about our opportunities as leaders. 

Before we get too far, I’d like to explain what Women Who Rule is. It’s a social media campaign that raises money and awareness to provide women access to dependable transportation. Championed by United Way WOMEN UNITED®, the campaign features the stories of women leaders and local change-makers from all walks of life. I am honored to be chosen as one of the voices and hope it inspires others to give and do more good in our community. 

Jennifer Abshire Davis from Abshire Public Relations visited me in my office to host a masked interview. During it, I was given the opportunity to share my insight on running a business, my stories of all the inspiring women in my life, and the honor it is to be a mom of two (soon-to-be three)! I am thankful for the opportunity to highlight and support the Women Who Rule campaign. The campaign raised over $30,000 just last week and will help hundreds of women in need across our community. 

“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” -Dolly Parton

Congrats to our CEO, Catherine Grant: “The Face of Entrepreneurship”

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Savannah’s coveted South Magazine composes a special edition every five years to highlight some of the south’s most trusted, ambitious, and talented leaders. This publication is described as,”A bold declaration of the richness of the South, of the majestic talents, relentless ambition and singular vision that reside just behind each face you pass in your travels,” according to magazine editors. 

Did you hear the incredible news?! Alongside dozens of other successful faces and businesses that shape our communities, ExperCARE’s Founder/CEO and fearless leader, Catherine Grant, earned the praise and title “The Face of Entrepreneurship”. This comes at no surprise to anyone who has had the opportunity to meet or work with her.

Catherine is a change maker at heart, an innovator and trailblazer in healthcare, a wife, a mother, and a servant leader. Catherine started her business venture with ExperCARE Urgent Care in 2009 in Richmond Hill, then known as The Urgent Care Center of Richmond Hill. Six years later, ExperCARE expanded, adding a  location on Mall Blvd in Savannah to serve and reach  even more people, and they are currently in the process of opening a third location in the near future.

On behalf of the entire ExperCARE team, we are thankful for an opportunity to celebrate the vision, innovation and inspiration  that Catherine brings our lives day in and day out as well as her unwavering commitment to excellence ! She’s dedicated, beyond compare, to everything she’s a part of. South Magazine writes, “These are the faces of the people who are creating the new South through the sweat of their brow and the depth of their passions. But if you never look closer you may never know how deep that passion goes, and what it has accomplished.” And Catherine is just that!

Amidst some of the most unprecedented times, we are reassured to be le by Catherine ; knowing  that our team and our customers couldn’t be in more caring hands! .

Read the write-up on Catherine, here: http://www.southmag.com/Faces-of-the-South-The-Trilogy-Edition/Catherine-Grant-is-the-Face-of-Entrepreneurship/

Access to Award-Winning Care During COVID-19 Pandemic

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WTOC goes behind the scenes with us to show how we’re continuing to provide award-winning access to care for anyone in need, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you WTOC for your coverage! Check out the full story here:  https://www.wtoc.com/2020/04/02/urgent-care-facilities-changing-procedures-still-aim-help-patients-quickly/

“One of the things that we’ve done well is responding to, how do we take care of people while also minimizing risk for our team? Also looking at, what are the different ways we can see people that may be a little outside of the box considering current circumstances,” ExperCARE CEO Catherine Grant said.

 

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 and want testing or think you have been exposed to someone who has it and aren’t sure what to do next, ExperCARE is here for you!

“We can see them virtually and sometimes the whole thing can be taken care of virtually. However if they have respiratory symptoms, if they have a cough, if they have a fever or if they have other respiratory complaints, sore throat, we’re actually seeing all respiratory complaints outside of the clinic and we’re going to see people in their cars,” Grant said.

 

‘Tis the Season to be Healthy

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5 tips to keep you healthy during the holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! During the holiday season, we cherish time with our family and friends, eat lots of yummy food, and get some time to unwind and relax. It is certainly merry and bright, but sometimes it isn’t quite so jolly for our waistline or our health in general. ExperCARE has compiled a few reminders to help keep you healthy and safe over the holidays!

 

  • Eat mindfully

 

We all want to dig into Mom’s homemade mashed potatoes and Grandma’s famous apple pie! And we certainly should. But the holidays are all about moderation and balance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests limiting your portion sizes and foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. Try to substitute that not so healthy food for a fruit or veggie. Also don’t forget to give your tummy time to digest before going back for seconds!

 

  • Wash your hands 

 

Germs, germs, and more germs! We are traveling, snuggling  up together, and out of our regular routine all during flu season. Be sure to keep your hands clean to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. This is your friendly reminder to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze (if not, use your elbow but not your hands). This helps keep yourself and those around you healthy.

 

  • Get your flu shot

 

Unfortunately, flu season is in full swing this time of year… But don’t let the bug dampen your holiday cheer. Plan to get your flu shot before the Christmas chaos begins. No one wants to spend their Christmas at ExperCARE or on the couch with a fever. Vaccinations help prevent diseases and save lives. The CDC suggests everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. ExperCARE has the flu vaccine at both locations.

 

  • Stay active by changing up your holiday workout

 

‘Tis the season to pack our social calendars with Christmas activities and parties, eating and drinking festive foods, shopping until we drop, and spending time with family and friends. If you notice the schedule isn’t necessarily centered around daily exercise. But in order to stay motivated, you should set goals for yourself and be sure to add a few workouts onto your holiday checklist. The best idea is to reinvent what you would usually do. Plan to split you activity into smaller, more manageable workouts. Don’t stress over making it to the gym for an hour everyday. Instead, have your family go out for a 30 minute walk, use a workout app on your phone for 15 minutes, or play outdoor games with your family. 

 

  • Relax, manage stress 

 

As much as the holidays are about fitting everything into your schedule, they are also about taking time for yourself. Don’t let the holiday rush stress you out or take a toll on your mental or physical health. Do at least one thing everyday that makes YOU happy, whether it’s meditation, reading a good book, or watching a Christmas movie. 

Last but not least, ENJOY the most wonderful time of the year! ExperCARE wishes you and yours a cheerful, restful, and healthy holiday season! 

Preparing for the Unpredictable Flu: The Time is Now

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A sudden sense of symptoms that no one wants to feel: fever, aches, chills, and fatigue. These are all defining symptoms of the dreaded flu. Seasonal influenza is just around the corner, which means the time to prepare is now, especially since it’s expected to be a highly active flu season.

“Flu is unpredictable but we can predict that it will arrive,” says Dr. Bill Schaffner, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID). So ready or not here it comes. 

We are already seeing early flu-related activity right here in our region, and because of this health officials are warning of a more severe flu season than normal. While the flu is common, that is no reason to brush it off. The flu can be a very serious disease, especially for the very young, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 80,000 Americans died and 960,000 were hospitalized because of the flu during the 2017-2018 flu season. 

So how can you prepare? This time of year, flu vaccines are highly recommended. So if you are one who considers getting a flu shot, the CDC recommends that you get it now. Early vaccination is always better as it allows your body time to respond internally and create an army of flu-fighters. If you are on the fence about getting the flu shot, this is your year to do it. 2019 will be a highly active season. 

If you are wondering why you should get the vaccination this season, just remember the CDC says it will cut your chances of getting the flu in half. Even more importantly, it reduces your child’s risk of getting the disease that much more. According to the CDC, the flu shot reduces children’s risk of flu-related pediatric intensive care unit admission by 74 percent. It is often said that a flu shot can give you the flu, this is in fact a myth. The flu vaccine contains inactive germs, which means it’s impossible to actually give you the disease from the shot. If you feel a little under the weather after your flu shot, that is good news- your body’s immune system is building its army against the flu. You may feel sore or stiffness in your shoulder, but that is just a short term side effect of the shot. 

Did you know? Even if you do get the flu after getting the flu shot, health officials say it is proven that you will have less severe symptoms, a shorter illness, and you are also less likely to have complications. 

The flu shot is easy. ExperCARE has the flu vaccine at both of its locations: Savannah and Richmond Hill. We make it convenient for you! No appointments are needed, as walk-ins are always welcome. We are open when you are able to come and get your vaccination: 7 days a week with extended hours on weekdays and, of course, weekend hours. 

The flu shot protects millions of Americans from the widespread flu outbreak each year. 

 

Walk-ins welcome.
No appointments necessary.
In-Network with most major insurances.

© 2025 ExperCare Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine

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