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Urgent Care 101 for Dallas, TX

Healthcare stats, facts & trends in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area

• Types of Walk-In Clinics in Dallas

  Urgent care fills a unique space in the health care industry between general medicine and emergency facilities. With emergency rooms often at capacity, patients were looking for places to get prompt care for conditions that are not life-threatening. That’s where urgent care clinics come in: to treat medical conditions that are not emergencies but can’t wait for a regular, scheduled appointment.

  That’s why urgent care does not require any appointments. You can access these medical services at any hour of the day or night (depending on the facility in question, of course). Urgent care does a huge service in relieving the pressure on hospital emergency rooms and helping patients avoid the higher fees of emergency services.

  There are a variety of walk-in medical clinics available to patients in Dallas. If you are looking for urgent care services in the city, it is a good idea to know which of these is the best choice for you.

  Dallas has a variety of urgent care services available to residents and visitors in the city:

  • Urgent Care Clinics. Urgent care clinics are under the supervision of either a doctor (who may divide his or her time between the urgent care clinic and a nearby hospital) or a registered nurse. Some of these are open 24 hours a day, while others have extended hours beyond those you might expect at a regular doctor’s office. These clinics offer immediate treatment for moderately serious conditions.
  • Retail Clinics. Retail clinics are located in a larger store, often a pharmacy chain like Walgreens, CVS, or Rite Aid. These employ a limited medical staff and offer limited services like flu shots, prescription medications, and throat swabs.
  • Primary Care Medical Facilities. Some primary care medical facilities have extended hours when patients can walk in for unscheduled visits.
  • Community or Charity Clinics. There are also a range of community or charity clinics in Dallas. Some of these are affiliated with a church or religious organization, while others are non-profits. These are designed to offer free or discounted medical services to uninsured persons or low-income individuals.

• How to Select the Right Clinic

  Choosing the right medical clinic depends on a number of different factors. You should consider all the details before choosing where to seek treatment. Urgent care clinics are intended to treat only certain medical conditions, namely, those that do not require emergency care. However, individual urgent care facilities may have a predetermined list of conditions they are willing or able to treat. These services are usually listed on their website.

  Non-emergent, urgent medical conditions usually include sprains, allergic reactions, flu, or migraines. Some urgent care facilities also offer services like X-rays, pregnancy tests, physical exams, and blood work. Others may treat more serious illnesses and injuries like broken bones, strep throat, bronchitis, or moderately serious burns.

  If you go to an urgent care center with a condition that is too serious for their treatment, they will send you to an emergency room. If you do not receive actual treatment at the urgent care clinic, you will not be charged for it.

  If you are experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, you should always head to the hospital. On the other hand, if you decide that urgent care is a good fit for your needs, you should consider a few things. These things will help you decide which individual clinic you should visit.

  Here are a few questions to ask yourself to help you choose where to seek treatment:

  • How close is the nearest clinic?
  • Does it accept my health insurance?
  • What medical personnel work there (i.e., nurses, lab techs, X-ray technicians)
  • What services does it offer?
  • What time is it open?
  • Do I have to call ahead or can I do a walk-in appointment?
  • What do people say online about the facility?

  Depending on the treatment that you need, these questions should help you decide where to go.

• Highest Rated Urgent Care Centers in Dallas

  Online reviews are always a good place to start looking, even when it comes to health care. This list includes the top 10 highly rated urgent care in Dallas, according to verified clinic patients:

  1. Code 3 Urgent Care, Carrollton (4.9 stars from 211 ratings)
  2. Code 3 Urgent Care, DFW Airport Southgate Plaza (4.9 stars from 33 ratings)
  3. CityDoc Urgent Care, Inwood Village (4.9 stars from 1,981 ratings)
  4. CityDoc Urgent Care, Preston (4.8 stars from 403 ratings)
  5. Code 3 Urgent Care, Mesquite (4.8 stars from 388 ratings)
  6. Pediatric After Hours, Garland (4.8 stars from 4,249 ratings)
  7. CityDoc Urgent Care, Uptown (4.8 stars from 2,222 ratings)
  8. PrimaCare Medical Center, Plano (4.7 stars from 728 ratings)
  9. PrimaCare Medical Center, Dallas (4.7 stars from 993 ratings)
  10. PrimaCare Medical Center, Mesquite (4.7 stars from 1,737 ratings)

  _{as of February 7, 2019}

• Hours of Urgent Care in Dallas

  As with any urgent care facility, hours of operation vary from clinic to clinic in Dallas. Some urgent care clinics might be open 24 hours a day. Others offer extended hours – they might not be open all night, but they are open later into the evening when general practitioners are not. If they have the staff to do so, many will stay open throughout the night. But it largely depends on the clinic, so it is always a good idea to check the website before going in.

  Hillcrest Medical, for example, is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It also offers limited Saturday hours from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sinai Urgent Care, meanwhile, is open every day of the week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Methodist Urgent Care and both CityDoc locations offer Sunday hours.

• Urgent Care Services and Costs

  Services vary between urgent care facilities. In general, you can probably bank on receiving treatments at any urgent care for conditions like flu, ear infections, sprains, or congestion. Certain facilities also offer other treatments depending on their staffing and resources. If you aren’t sure an urgent care center will treat your condition, you can always call ahead to ask.

  Sinai Urgent Care, for example, offers a large range of treatments. These include X-rays, broken bone care, lab testing, common infection treatment, and minor emergency care. It even offers pediatric care, which is significant, since many urgent care centers cannot accept infant patients. The CityDoc locations, meanwhile, offer treatments for minor burns, insect bites, bronchitis, pneumonia, broken bones, and non-cardiac chest pain.

  Costs also depend largely on the urgent care clinic itself. Some urgent care centers accept almost all major insurance plans, while others have a more limited range. That being said, urgent care is designed to offer lower-cost medical treatments than at traditional doctors’ offices. For low-income patients, many urgent cares even offer discounts or payment plans.

  Many urgent care clinics have itemized lists of treatment costs on their website. Treatments at Sinai Urgent Care, for example, range from $129 for simple care to $279 for more involved treatments. However, they also offer discounts. Walk-ins at CityDoc, meanwhile, pay a flat rate of $100.

• Healthcare for Travelers in Dallas

  Dallas draws visitors from all over the world, averaging 2.9 million tourists annually. The city has a wide range of attractions, from historical sites to museums, restaurants, and shopping opportunities. The city is also home to five sports teams. So it’s no surprise that medical services are in high demand in Dallas.

  The good news is that there are also plenty of hotel rooms to spare. In fact, Dallas has roughly 30,000 available hotel rooms. Many of these are located just within a few miles of urgent care facilities.

• Healthcare for Residents of Dallas

  With such an enormous population, Dallas has numerous other medical facilities. More than 1 million people reside in Dallas, attracted by the metropolitan area, exciting culture, and proud Texas heritage. That’s why the city is also home to some of the best medical facilities in the state.

  Dallas residents have lots of access to urgent care, but that’s not all. There are many pediatric urgent care facilities as well, including Sinai Urgent Care. Meanwhile, multiple universities also offer urgent and specialty care to Dallas residents.

  UT Southwestern Medical Center leads the region in research and offers care in more than 60 branches of specialty medicine. Meanwhile, Baylor University offers services in immunology, pediatric care, infectious diseases, physical therapy, sports medicine, and much more.

  There are also charity urgent care clinics through the city of Dallas. These  charity or non-profit organizations offer medical treatment to uninsured persons or low-income residents. Some offer free care, discounted treatment, or sliding-scale pay options. Citysquare, for example, is a non-profit group offering services in pediatrics, primary care, STD testing, and more. It only accepts uninsured patients and offers highly discounted services.

• Hospitals in Dallas

  In addition to urgent care clinics, Dallas also has some of the best hospitals in the south. Here, patients get care in emergency services as well as hundreds of different specialties. If you need hospital care in Dallas, there are many options for you.

  Baylor University Medical Center offers a wide selection of care options for its patients. It has a highly rated emergency room and a team of doctors propelled by university-funded research. Baylor University Medical Center is a great choice if you need hospital care in Dallas.

  Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital also serves the Dallas area. It has a top-rated emergency care facility and trauma II center, and a comprehensive stroke care center. The hospital has also received high accolades for its treatment of patients experiencing heart failure. In addition to emergency care, Texas Health Presbyterian offers services in behavioral health, cancer management, hospice care, orthopedics, and robotic surgery.

  Promise Hospital of Dallas has many specialized care offerings for people in the city. A smaller hospital with 66 beds, it offers treatment for acute inpatient care. Patients at Promise Hospital of Dallas receive top-quality treatment in rehabilitation therapy, cardiopulmonary conditions, and wound care.

  When it comes to medical care in Dallas, there is no shortage of options. Whether you need urgent, emergent, or primary care, the city has services for you. From low-cost options to specialized treatment, you can find everything you need in the third largest city in Texas.

• Neighborhoods in Dallas

  • Beckley Club Estates
  • Bent Tree
  • Bluffview
  • Casa Linda
  • Casa View
  • Central Dallas
  • Deep Ellum - Expo Park
  • Design District
  • Devonshire
  • Downtown
  • East Dallas
  • Eastwood
  • Far North Dallas
  • Forest Hills
  • Glen Abbey
  • Greenway Parks
  • Highland Park
  • Hillside
  • Hollywood Heights - Santa Monica
  • Kiestwood
  • Lake Highlands
  • Lake Park Estates
  • Lakewood
  • Lakewood Heights
  • Little Forest Hills
  • Lochwood
  • Love Field
  • Lower Greenville
  • M Streets - Vickery Place
  • Medical District
  • Midway Hollow
  • Mount Auburn
  • North Dallas
  • North Oak Cliff
  • Northaven Park
  • Northeast Dallas
  • Northwest Dallas
  • Northwood Hills - Valley View
  • Oak Cliff
  • Oak Lawn
  • Old East Dallas
  • Old Lake Highlands
  • Park Cities
  • Pleasant Grove
  • Preston Highlands
  • Preston Hollow
  • Preston Trail
  • Prestonwood
  • Ridgewood Park
  • South Dallas/Fair Park
  • Southeast Dallas
  • Southwest Dallas
  • The Peninsula
  • University Park
  • Uptown
  • West Dallas
  • Wilshire Heights

• Zip Codes in Dallas

  • 75201
  • 75202
  • 75203
  • 75204
  • 75205
  • 75206
  • 75207
  • 75208
  • 75209
  • 75210
  • 75211
  • 75212
  • 75214
  • 75215
  • 75216
  • 75217
  • 75218
  • 75219
  • 75220
  • 75223
  • 75224
  • 75225
  • 75226
  • 75227
  • 75228
  • 75229
  • 75230
  • 75231
  • 75232
  • 75233
  • 75234
  • 75235
  • 75236
  • 75237
  • 75238
  • 75240
  • 75241
  • 75243
  • 75244
  • 75246
  • 75247
  • 75248
  • 75249
  • 75251
  • 75252
  • 75253
  • 75287

• Surrounding Cities

  • Arlington
  • Azle
  • Bedford
  • Benbrook
  • Burleson
  • Carrollton
  • Colleyville
  • Crowley
  • Dallas
  • Denton
  • Euless
  • Fort Worth
  • Frisco
  • Garland
  • Grapevine
  • Haltom City
  • Haslet
  • Hurst
  • Irving
  • Keller
  • Kennedale
  • Mansfield
  • McKinney
  • Mesquite
  • Plano
  • North Richland Hills
  • Roanoke
  • Saginaw
  • Southlake
  • Watauga
  • Westlake

Flu Shot Frequently Asked Questions

• Where can I get a flu shot in Dallas?

  The flu vaccine should generally be available at Dallas-area urgent care centers, retail clinics, primary care doctor offices, and local pharmacies. While many times you can simply walk in to get a flu shot, it is best to book an appointment online to reduce your wait time.

• Where can I get a flu shot after hours in Dallas?

  Outside routine work hours, most Dallas primary care doctor offices are closed, however, most of the area’s urgent care and retail clinics are open after hours and on weekends. Book an after hours appointment today.

• How can I book a flu shot in Dallas?

  Same-day and next day appointments for flu shots are bookable directly through Solv. Simply search for a Dallas-area doctor, find a provider, and book a time that aligns with your schedule stating “flu shot” as your reason for visit.

• Is a flu shot necessary?

  Everyone 6 months or older should get vaccinated for the flu every year. Influenza, or the flu, is a serious virus and infection that hospitalizes and kills thousands of people annually. And it is constantly changing. The flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from contracting the virus.

• Do I need to get a flu shot every year?

  Flu vaccines are needed annually, primarily for two reasons. First, the flu virus is constantly evolving, meaning the virus you received a vaccine for last year is unique from the virus in the upcoming season. As such, the vaccine itself needs to be different. Second, the vaccine itself wears off and your immune system’s response to the flu virus decreases over time. Unless you receive the vaccine every year, you will lack necessary immunity.

• When should I get a flu shot?

  Each year is a little different, but flu season generally starts as early as September. Getting a flu shot early in the season - August to October - gives your buddy the best opportunity to build up immunity to the virus as it does take roughly two weeks for the vaccine to protect you against infection. Of course, if you are unable to get the flu shot early, getting a flu shot later still helps as the virus could last through May.

• How effective is the flu shot?

  Each year, the CDC and other organizations conduct studies to determine the effectiveness of the flu vaccine against that years flu virus. According to the CDC, recent studies show that flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by between 40% and 60%. Of course, there are multiple types and strands of the flu virus including influenza B and influenza A(H1N1), as well as influenza A(H3N2). Generally speaking, flu shots tend to work better against influenza types A & B.

• How long does a flu shot last?

  The flu vaccine lasts for one flu season as the virus constantly evolves and each year the vaccine is produced to specifically protect against the strand(s) that are prevalent in the upcoming flu season.

• How much does a flu shot cost?

  Depending on where you get your flu vaccine, what type of vaccine you are getting, and whether or not you are insured, flu shot costs vary. Generally speaking, however, flu shots can cost between $0 and $50, sometimes more.

Urgent Care FAQs

• What is urgent care?

  Urgent care are available to assist patients that are looking for immediate, convenient medical care. In that manner, they are similar to an emergency room. The difference, however, is that ERs are meant to treat major, life-threatening injuries and illnesses while urgent care centers manage life’s minor bruises and bumps. In simple terms, an urgent care is seen as a walk-in health center that focuses in offering non-emergent health care conditions, including the treatment of the typical illnesses and injuries such as fractures and sprains, cuts and burns, scrapes, stings and bites, flu and cold symptoms, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and much more. Most urgent care facilities offer both diagnostic and preventive care such as well visits, immunizations, STD testing and annual physicals. For regular visits and check-ups on these clinics, you should expect to pay between $20 and $100. The good thing is that most urgent care clinics will accept major PPOs and insurance cover, Medicare, as well as self-pay in the form of credit cards or cash. Urgent care clinics are located in most parts of the country in various regions to offset emergency room visits and provide a gap in healthcare services. They take patients during all hours of operations, which offer a significant convenience to most people who have and continue to undergo the need for sudden and immediate medical attention.

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• When should I go to the urgent care vs emergency room (ER)?

  Urgent care facilities are seen as a combination between an emergency room (ER) and a PCP (Primary Care Physicians), serving the instant and after hours requirements of neighboring patients. Most urgent care clinics even say that they can diagnose and treat up to seventy-five percent of the patients who visit an emergency room. The primary difference between an ER and Urgent care is the experience of the patient. The average waiting time in an ER is almost 2.5 hours while waiting time in urgent care is between 15 and 45 minutes. The cost of urgent care is usually a fraction of what you would pay in an emergency room. It is advisable to visit an emergency room in situations of medical emergency because urgent care clinics are meant for minor and non-emergent illnesses and injuries.

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• What's the difference between an urgent care and walk-in clinic?

  You will often see the terms urgent care clinic, retail clinic, immediate care clinic, walk-in clinic, and convenient clinic being interchangeably used nowadays. The emergence of emergency rooms complicated the conversation. A walk-in clinic is a type of clinic in which patients can walk-in with no advance appointment. An urgent care clinic, on the other hand, denotes a subgroup of the walk-in clinic model that typically provides extended hours, extended services and abilities as well as on-site lab tests and x-rays.

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• How much does an urgent care cost?

  The price charged in urgent care will be based on the location, and there are no actual standard costs between the clinics. Assuming you are paying with cash, you might come across an urgent clinic that charges you $50 while another situated some mile away charges you $100 for the same services. The standard cost in urgent care where insurance cover is not involved ranges from $100 to $125. This price is generally the standard price of a visit before extra services. There are a couple of additional care services that could make your appointment to an urgent care costly including x-rays and lab tests, medications and injections (such as immunization), casting broken bones, as well as stitches and splints. If you have a viable insurance plan in place, the standard pay will be between $20 – 50 depending on your insurance coverage and whether you are in contact with the provider.

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• Is insurance accepted at urgent care centers?

  All insurance providers indicate whether their plan covers urgent care facilities or not. Individual clinics and providers may or may not possess a relationship with a particular plan. This aspect makes the scenario complicated. In most situations, insurance providers will cover the urgent care centers, and patients will be needed to pay a co-payment every time they visit the facility. In other rare occasions, it is common for the urgent care facilities to reject some insurance plans even if the provider has indicated that they will pay for the costs incurred. With these uncertainties, it is always advisable to call urgent care centers in advance to determine whether they accept specific insurance plans or not.

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