New Mexico has some specific challenges that affect its healthcare environment specifically regarding poverty and immigration. Luckily, walk-in clinics and urgent care centers help fill some of the gaps that prevent people from receiving adequate care.

Healthcare in New Mexico

Poverty is New Mexico's biggest challenge when it comes to healthcare access. Nineteen percent of the state's residents live below the poverty line. The U.S. average is 14.3 percent. New Mexico also has a fairly large population of undocumented immigrants. Even though only 4.3 percent of the people in New Mexico are undocumented immigrants, that still equals 85,000 people. Many of these immigrants fear healthcare facilities because they worry about deportation.

Urgent Care in New Mexico

Urgent care centers provide non-emergency services such treating minor injuries, prescribing medications, and diagnosing common illnesses. Urgent care centers are open after business hours, so people can visit them even after most physicians have closed for the day. These centers usually charge lower fees than emergency rooms. That helps people get the assistance they need without paying excessive ER prices. While having insurance can help lower urgent care center prices even more, even those without insurance can benefit from reliable care at cheaper rates.

Walk-in Clinics in New Mexico

Walk-in clinics provide basic health services. People without insurance often find that they get the best price by using these clinics. Clinics offer limited medical services, but they can meet the needs of most non-emergency health events, such as allergic reactions, minor injuries, and long-lasting pain. Many walk-in clinics also administer immunizations to protect communities from common illnesses.

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