Urgent Care vs. Primary Care: What Are the Differences?

When you or a family member is experiencing a sudden illness, determining where to go for treatment can be a challenge. Primary care and urgent care are two possible choices, but it is important to realize that they are distinct types of care. Understanding the differences between the two will help you decide which to choose for your situation.

When to Go to Urgent Care vs. Primary Care

Urgent care clinics can provide care for many of the same conditions as a primary care clinic. When you are sick or have had a sudden injury, it may not be possible to get an appointment with your regular provider without waiting several days. You may have a medical issue on vacation, far from your regular doctor. When you’re miserable or in pain and need treatment quickly, you may not be able to wait.

ClearChoiceMD provides walk-in convenience and extended hours at 20 locations across Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. When you need prompt, personalized care for a medical problem or illness, we are open and ready to help seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Our onsite diagnostic imaging services include X-ray and EKG capabilities, and our locations include onsite labs, enabling our providers to diagnose and treat your medical problem promptly.

When you have a non-life-threatening medical problem and waiting to see a primary care provider isn’t an option, choose urgent care.

Primary Care vs. Urgent Care: What Are the Differences?

Urgent care and primary care can diagnose and treat similar injuries and health conditions. There are several significant differences between these two types of care, however. Understanding these will better equip you to choose the appropriate setting.

What is Urgent Care?

Urgent care is designed to provide convenient care for non-emergency medical problems. Providers at ClearChoiceMD can effectively treat a wide range of illnesses and injuries, including:

• Flu, Strep throat, and the common cold.
• Sinus problems and allergies.
• Migraines.
• COPD and asthma.
• Sprains and strains.
• Insect bites and stings.
• Rashes.
•  Fractures (broken bones).
• Cuts, bruises, and scrapes.
• Sports injuries.
• Urinary tract infections (UTI).

This is just a sample of the medical conditions we treat at ClearChoiceMD. Our experienced staff provides skilled care for patients of all ages, from infants to older adults. Our urgent care clinics offer several advantages, including walk-in service, timely care, and onsite diagnostic testing. We combine medical expertise with accessible medical care when you need it but can’t get in to see a primary care provider.

What Is Primary Care?

Primary care is ongoing medical care you receive from your regular doctor or provider. A major focus of primary care is on preventive medicine, the promotion of health and prevention of chronic disease through regular checkups. Wellness visits, immunizations, and screenings are all a part of preventive care. Other services often offered by a primary care clinic include:

• Annual physicals.
• Women’s health checkups.
• Managing chronic conditions.
• Pediatric annual wellness visits.
• Nutrition and weight loss guidance.

While primary care and urgent care can treat many of the same conditions, primary care focuses on consistent, preventive care through regular checkups.

Can I Use Urgent Care as Primary Care?

Despite its convenience, urgent care isn’t a substitute for primary care. Though urgent care can offer many of the same services as primary care, it is best used for episodic illness and injuries. It is essential to also visit your primary care provider for ongoing care.

Accessibility and Convenience: Urgent Care vs. Primary Care

Though your primary care provider has much to offer, it can sometimes be difficult to get an appointment. Convenience is one key difference between urgent care and primary care.

Primary care clinics are typically open during regular business hours and are closed on holidays and weekends. Unfortunately, urgent health issues don’t happen on a schedule. Most people can relate to being sick but unable to get an appointment with their regular doctor for several days. From a migraine on a weekend to a bad cut while you’re on vacation, sometimes you can’t see your primary care provider when you need to. At these moments, urgent care is a great choice.

ClearChoiceMD is there for you and your family when you need care quickly. Offering extended hours and short wait times, our convenient locations are ready to provide rapid diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of medical problems.

Urgent Care vs. Primary Care: Cost

You may be wondering if urgent care is more expensive than primary care. The cost of health care is an important consideration for many. The good news is that urgent care visit costs are typically similar to a primary care visit.

If you have health insurance that covers each type of visit, your co-pay should be similar for both. Without insurance coverage, visit fees will vary depending on the services you receive.

At ClearChoiceMD, we want to ensure you can get high-quality care when you need it. While we accept many types of insurance, you don’t need coverage for an appointment. Our self-pay option offers convenience and affordability.

ClearChoiceMD: Accessible Care for Your Family

Hopefully, understanding what urgent care is and how it differs from primary care will help you know where to go for specific medical situations.

When you need urgent care, ClearChoiceMD is here for you. Visit us and see why we are a trusted choice for prompt, personalized care.