Modern medicine has come a long way. We have well-researched and clinically proven treatments for almost every affliction.

However, healthcare treatment can often be expensive, especially when you have to visit a hospital emergency room for life-threatening medical issues.

If you are one of the 9.7% of Americans who don’t have health insurance, or if you can’t afford medical care even with insurance, it’s natural to feel “locked out” of the healthcare system. Fortunately, a dedicated urgent care clinic like UrgentMED can provide much of the care you need, when you need it—even if you don’t have insurance.

You Don’t Need Insurance To See a Doctor at Our Urgent Care Center

Are you in Los Angeles or elsewhere in Southern California, looking for medical attention for non-life-threatening conditions? UrgentMED has numerous locations staffed with qualified and experienced physicians, and highly-trained staff ready to help you. Their state-of-the-art, affordable urgent care centers are equipped to treat practically all the non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses, including:

• Flu, ear and sinus infections, pink eye, strep throat, and other common illnesses
• Allergic reactions
• Sprains and strains
• Dislocations
• Bone fractures
• Wounds
• Small cuts and lacerations that require stitches
• New or worsening skin conditions
• Animal bites or insect stings
• Urinary tract infections
• Mild fever
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Abscesses
• Sports injuries
• Minor pains and aches

You don’t need an appointment to access the services at UrgentMED. Just walk into your nearest clinic and the friendly staff will be happy to address your medical needs.

Of course, you should always call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room when you have a life-threatening condition. But as long as it’s not an emergency, you’d be much better off visiting an urgent care facility such as UrgentMED. This allows you to visit a medical provider without having to worry about paying exorbitant costs.

What is an Urgent Care Center?

Urgent care clinics are an excellent option for a wide range of medical treatments. They offer primary care and immediate care services on a walk-in basis when your primary care physician (PCP) is not available, or if you can’t afford a hospital visit.

Walk-in medical centers like UrgentMED don’t treat severe injuries that require emergency care, nor do they offer services for mental health issues like anxiety or depression. But an urgent care facility can be perfect for treating most common injuries and diseases. If you don’t want to wait several days for an appointment with your primary doctor’s office, or if you’re looking for more affordable care, UrgentMED is a great option.

Why Visit an Urgent Care Center Instead of the Emergency Room?

Another good reason to visit an urgent care facility is that they offer physical examinations and diagnostic & screening services at a fraction of the cost of the same services at a hospital. UrgentMED’s same-day diagnostic services include, but are not limited to:

• X-rays
• Tuberculosis skin testing (PPD)
• STD testing
• Flu, mono, and strep throat testing
• Laboratory testing (blood and urine)
• Drug testing
• COVID-19 testing (PCR, Rapid PCR, and antibody)
• EKG
• Physical exams for school, sports, pre-employment, and pre-operation
• Gynecological exams

While urgent care visits without insurance are generally very affordable, the cost varies from clinic to clinic and depends on the type of treatment you need. Regardless, urgent care is much cheaper than going to the emergency room. Most urgent care clinics offer “self-pay” rates that are significantly reduced for patients paying out-of-pocket.

If you need quick and affordable care—especially when paying out of your own pocket—UrgentMED offers some of the lowest rates for medical visits. Each of their clinics also has an in-house pharmacy, allowing you to get medications prescribed and administered in the same visit.

Rather than waiting for a primary care office appointment and dreading the enormous medical bill, visit UrgentMED. They have several locations around Los Angeles and Southern California.

4 Tips To Save Money on Urgent Care Visits When You Have No Insurance

While urgent care clinics are generally far more affordable than other medical care facilities, some patients may still struggle to afford their rates. Fortunately, there are ways to cut down the costs even further.

1. Check if the Urgent Care Center Has Self-Pay Prices

Self-pay rates are specifically designed for patients who have no health insurance. Some clinics also offer payment plans.

2. Call Before You Visit

Making an appointment is typically not necessary before visiting an urgent care facility. However, it can be a good idea to call ahead and clarify how much their services will cost for patients paying out-of-pocket.

3. Talk to Your Doctor Before Treatment

If you didn’t have a chance to call before visiting an urgent care center, and if you’re worried about the costs, feel free to talk to a doctor on-site. Most urgent care providers understand the importance of keeping the medical bills as low as possible without compromising the quality of care. The medical professionals at UrgentMED know that many patients are price-conscious when it comes to the cost of their care.

Having an open conversation with a doctor will allow you both to determine the most effective yet affordable treatment option. There are often alternative treatments and tests that can be considered.

4. Ask the Right Questions

While visiting an urgent care clinic, ask these questions to better understand their pricing:

• Is there an office visit fee?
• How much will this test/service cost?
• Is there a bundle price for certain services?
• Is this the only test I need today?
• If I need additional testing or an X-Ray, how much will that cost?
• Are there separate charges for the in-house lab tests and office visits?
• Are there any other administrative fees?
• How much will this prescription medication cost?

What are “Self-Pay” Rates at Walk-In Urgent Care Centers?

Self-pay refers to the cash payment rate for a healthcare service when the patient can’t pay with a health insurance plan. Staff at urgent care clinics understand that when you’re not feeling well, the last thing you want to worry about is the price of an office visit to a doctor.

UrgentMED offers competitive costs and self-pay rates for patients of all ages. As a leading provider of urgent care in Southern California, their clinics offer high-quality and cost-effective care with no appointment required.

Save Money with Your Nearest UrgentMED Clinic

UrgentMED doctors, nurses, lab technicians and assistants are focused on providing superior, affordable healthcare to patients each and every day. They offer some of the cheapest self-pay rates for visits and diagnostic services. For example, the average cost for a Rapid Antigen COVID-19 test is $129, but UrgentMED offers this test for $95 without insurance.

When you visit an UrgentMED clinic, the friendly staff will determine the likely cost of your visit so that you aren’t surprised by any hidden costs. Even when additional fees are required for further diagnostic testing, you will have a chance to review those costs before proceeding.

If you have any questions about our self-pay rates, co-pays, or your insurance status, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Our dedicated and friendly care team looks forward to meeting you and helping you feel better quickly!