When to Use a Walk in Clinic?

Most cities of modest size have one or more walk in clinics. These exist to provide health care for certain ailments, such as a cold or bronchitis. Some walk in clinics also provide flu shots and immunizations. However, most of these medical clinics do not provide care for ongoing conditions such as Heart disease and Diabetes.

One of the benefits of these medical clinics is that they are often open on weekends and in the evenings. If your doctor's office has already closed, you may benefit from going to a walk in clinic rather than having to wait to schedule an appointment with your doctor. You may also be able to use your insurance and if you don't have insurance, the cost is usually under a hundred dollars to see a doctor.

Some walk in clinics stay busy so you may have to wait a while. Others are easy to get in and out of within an hour or two. You may be able to call ahead and see how busy your local walk in clinic is.

Some of the major drugstores now have medical clinics near the pharmacy. This makes it extremely convenient to stop in on your way home from work if needed. In addition, since you're already at a pharmacy, you will find it convenient to fill any prescriptions you receive.

If you need lab tests, you can get them on the spot at some walk in clinics. Others do not have a lab so be sure and call ahead if you know you will need a blood test or an x-ray.

If your child needs a sports physical, a walk in clinic may be able to provide this as well. Most of these clinics see children and adults so they are convenient when anyone in the family is sick or needs an immunization.

You can read online user reviews about the medical clinics in your area to see how others feel about their services. Be prepared to pay the full price or your co-pay at the time services are rendered when you visit any walk in clinic.