Is Urgent Care the Same as a Walk-In Clinic?

Urgent care clinics and walk-in clinics function in much the same way in that they both accept walk-in visits without the need for a scheduled appointment. Urgent care clinics, however, can provide more advanced care as they have on-site X-ray and laboratory facilities enabling them to treat more serious injuries and illnesses such as broken bones, burns, and pneumonia.

Hours of operation in both clinics are similar, typically offering extended daytime hours seven days a week. Clinic times will of course vary from location to location so it’s always a good idea to check the operating hours of the clinic closest to you, as well as the type of services it provides.

Staffing in both clinics is also similar, except that urgent care tends to be led by doctors and assisted by physician assistants and nurse practitioners, and walk-in clinics are usually led by nurse practitioners, which limits the services they can provide. This is only a typical scenario however and will, again, vary by location.

There is a difference in the types and severity of conditions treated in the clinics however, with walk-in clinics dealing with more routine, less urgent or severe injuries and urgent cares dealing with urgent, non-life-threatening situations needing a higher level of care. This difference also makes an urgent care visit more expensive than that of a walk-in clinic.

A walk-in clinic is a facility that provides basic medical services without requiring the individual to make an appointment in advance. This could be an urgent care, a retail clinic, or even an emergency room. You can walk into any of them and, assuming you can pay or have insurance cover (except the emergency room), will be seen and treated as required.

Walk-in clinics are a convenient alternative to primary care clinics or emergency rooms for same-day medical attention for minor illnesses or injuries that would be inappropriate for an emergency room, or for those that do not have a primary care provider. Walk-in clinics commonly provide treatment for the following (although this list is not exhaustive):

• Colds and influenza
• Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
• Ear infections
• Fever
• Flu shots and vaccinations
• Minor fractures, sprains, and strains
• Minor burns, cuts, and lacerations
• Physical examinations
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Sinus infections
• Sore throat/strep throat
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Urgent care clinics provide every service that a walk-in clinic does but are also equipped with X-ray and laboratory services, and other services that will vary from clinic to clinic. Typical services offered are:

• Abdominal pain
• Allergic reactions
• Asthma and bronchitis
• Auto accident injuries
• Department of Transportation (DOT) physical exams
• Dislocations, fractures, sprains, and strains
• Drug testing
• Flu shots and immunizations
• Occupational medicine
• On-site laboratory and X-ray services
• Mononucleosis
• Pneumonia
• Rashes and skin infections
• Strep throat
• Suture removal
• Tuberculosis (TB) testing
• Walk-in electrocardiogram (EKG) services
• Wellness shots
• Worker’s compensation injury management and treatment
• Wound care

According to the American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine the average urgent care visit costs between $150 and $200. Actual costs are influenced by location, the patient’s insurance coverage, and what treatment is required.

In comparison, the average cost of using a walk-in clinic is estimated to be about $50 to $150 per patient, which will again depend on the same factors as those for urgent care.

When you need urgent care services, be sure to think of Clio Urgent Care! For more information, please contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 4272 W. Vienna Road Clio, MI 48420. We serve patients from Clio MI, Montrose MI, Birch Run MI, Mount Morris MI, Beecher MI, Genesee County, MI, and surrounding areas.