It happens when you least expect it. You or a family member has a sore throat, minor sprain, or an unusual rash. When these acute health issues arise, where can you go to get help right away?
Even if your doctor’s office is open, there is little chance you will be able to get a last-minute appointment. You’ll want to think twice about going to an emergency room. Not only will you encounter a crowded waiting room and a long wait, but you can also expect a massive medical bill, even for the most basic care.
A walk-in doctor’s office is an ideal solution in these serious but non-emergency situations. Not only will you receive the care you need quickly—without waiting for an open appointment—but a walk-in doctor’s office offers familiarity, convenience, and affordability that isn’t provided at a hospital or emergency room.
When urgent medical situations occur, knowing where to go is key to saving time, money, and gaining ease of mind.
A good walk-in doctor’s office such as American Family Care will offer a wide variety of services and treatments, including:
- Basic health issues like colds, sinus infections, sore throats, bladder infections, and acute illnesses.
- Accidents/Injuries
- Allergy Treatments
- Physical Exams
- Vaccinations – Immunizations
- Express Lab Services
- STD Testing
Convenient Locations
Another bonus that comes with walk-in clinics such as American Family Care (AFC), is that most of them are situated in convenient locations — sometimes in retail locations such as a strip mall. Depending on your medical condition, it helps to choose a walk-in clinic located very close to you. Convenience should be a key factor in your decision-making process.
Convenient Hours
In addition to convenient locations, availability is crucial for a walk-in clinic. One of the biggest frustrations people have with primary care physician’s offices is scheduling. Most of the time, you must take time off from work to make an appointment in the limited number of hours the office is open. Forget about getting an appointment after work or on weekends. AFC is a walk-in clinic that offers extended care hours during the week and on weekends to accommodate your busy schedule or help out when those unexpected health issues arise after your primary doctor has closed up shop.
Affordable Pricing
Walk-in clinics are designed to make routine healthcare as affordable as possible; for as many people as possible. The cost of a visit to a walk-in clinic is a fraction of that in an emergency room. At most American Family Care locations, most insurance is accepted but not required for treatment. Check with your healthcare plan to find out if they offer in-network coverage for walk-in visits. Most plans do, but co-pays may be different depending upon location. Most procedures are inexpensive enough that you can pay for them directly out-of-pocket. Many walk-in clinics, especially the better ones like AFC, will also post-treatment pricing in the clinic and sometimes online. This is beneficial to those patients who are self-pay.
Properly Staffed
Just because the care is more convenient and affordable, that doesn’t mean you will get a discount doctor. Walk-in clinics like AFC employ fully licensed and highly experienced medical providers to treat you. The staff will be well-rounded and focused on stabilizing the conditions of people that walk into the clinic and finding long-term resolutions to their patient’s particular conditions. If the staff feels they are not able to provide you with the care you need, they will transfer you to a local emergency room or refer you to a specialist in your area who can help.
Quick and Easy Service
The average wait time a patient will spend in a walk-in clinic is under an hour. At AFC, the goal is to get you seen by medical personnel within 20 minutes of your walking in the door. On the other hand, it is common to sit in the waiting room of an emergency room for an hour or more before you are seen. This quick and easy service is the main reason why more people are choosing walk-in clinics instead of typical hospital emergency rooms. This type of fast attention allows you to revive the care you need without disrupting your life any more than necessary.
Virtual Doctor’s Visits
A good walk-in clinic will also give you the option to make a virtual doctor visit. AFC TeleCare gives you that option. You might be unwell and not want to leave the comfort of home, or it might be medically necessary for you to stay at home and get healthcare there. A walk-in clinic like AFC can provide you with this convenient, stress-free, and effective way to video chat with a doctor who can assess symptoms, prescribe treatments, and refill medication. A virtual doctor visit is usually less expensive than a trip to the doctor, and most of the time, it is covered by insurance. However, if you don’t have insurance, a virtual doctor visit with a walk-in doctor’s office is extremely affordable.
Make AFC Your Walk-In Doctor’s Office of Choice
The many benefits of AFC as your go-to walk-in clinic are clear; immediate care without an appointment, lower costs, reduced wait times, and convenience. It is also part of our mission statement, which is to provide the best healthcare possible in a kind and caring environment, in an economical manner, while respecting the rights of all of our patients, at times and locations convenient to you, the patient.
To learn more about AFC and to find a location nearest you, click here.
