Minnesota has a thriving healthcare industry. Not only are there a number of well-known clinics and hospitals in the state, there is an overall feeling that healthcare – as well as individual health and wellness – should be a priority. The state has a total of 133 hospitals, with about 12,000 beds available, including the Mayo Clinic, one of the worlds most respected hospitals, which is based in Rochester. While health is a priority in Minnesota, there have been an increased number of people visiting the emergency rooms in Minnesota over the last ten years. In 2011 there were nearly 1,800,000 emergency room visits in the state.

Urgent Care in Minnesota

Many of the hospitals in Minnesota offer urgent care centers for the community to access, which alleviates strain on the emergency rooms and provides great access for preventative care, particularly when doctors offices are inaccessible. Urgent care is a great option for non-critical injuries and illnesses, as well, and the state boasts more than 45 locations so there is likely an urgent care near you.

Walk-in Clinics in Minnesota

There are over 15,500 physicians in the state. This includes nearly 5,000 primary care physicians and 7,500 specialty care physicians. This is a great thing for those with special conditions or medical problems. However, physicians are not always necessary for routine well visits or minor injuries and illnesses. Visiting a walk-in clinic or retail clinic staffed by a nurse practitioner or physician assistant may be an option to consider. In fact, one of the states most noteworthy retailers, Target, has opened up many retail clinics in Minnesota to serve this exact purpose.

Specific urgent care and walk-in clinic services available in may include STD testing flu shots, school physicals and many other valuable services