Keeping Your Wallet Healthy: 5 Time-Saving Medical Services You Can Get At MD Now Urgent Care

With rising healthcare costs, long wait times, and crowded waiting rooms – it’s really no wonder why people are looking for a better way to stay healthy than a trip to the ER. Fact is, studies suggest more than 70% of ER visits are unnecessary, and a single trip can average $1,354. While life-threatening injuries or conditions (like a heart attack) absolutely require a trip to the emergency room, urgent care centers are perfect for minor emergencies, with a compared $150-200 fee per visit.

At MD Now, we have many convenient and local urgent care facilities. While it’s well known that we accept major insurance plans, what you may not know is all the great services you can get at MD Now with no appointment needed. You can always walk into one of our locations and be seen by a provider with little to no wait time.

Skip the surprise fees and higher out-of-network billing rates of doctors who aren’t actually employed by the hospital, and check out your local MD Now for these convenient medical services!

1. Diagnostic Tests

Whether you’ve experienced an injury or have a concerning pain, it’s tempting to run to the ER for a diagnosis under the assumption that your condition will receive immediate care. However, hospitals determine patient priority by triage, so patients are seen by level of acuity. Your pain is real but you may wait to be seen.

For the following diagnostic tests, urgent care is ideal for a quick in-and-out trip:

X-ray – Is your bone broken/fractured, or are you suffering from a dislocated joint? Typically, broken bones aren’t life threatening, but they do require immediate care. If a broken bone is suspected, an X-ray helps determine the seriousness of the break, and the best treatment options for a swift recovery.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) – This test measures the heart’s electrical activity, showing how fast it is beating and whether its rhythm is steady or irregular. Quick, safe, and painless, an ECG helps to diagnose problems with your heart.

2. Wellness Physical Exams

Sports, school, and specialized employees – what do they have in common? They require physicals in addition to your average annual physical.

Annual – The goal of an annual physical is the identification of current and prevention of future health issues. General exams include a check of vital signs (such as blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate), a review of past medical, family and social history, and a physical exam.

School, Sport, and Camp – Before your child gets physical, they need to get one. Sports physicals determine whether a child is healthy enough to participate in a particular sport or activity. School physicals should be conducted yearly before your child starts the school year.

Employment and Specialized – It’s an exciting process to start a new job. Some employers or government agencies require a physical before you can begin work. Our easy walk-in physicals give companies and their employees the flexibility they need to get up and running.

Review this full list of physical examinations offered by MD Now, and visit our services page for additional details about the individual tests included in each type of physical.

3. Stitches and Wound Care

Did you know that stitches alone could cost $500 or more at the ER? If necessary, MD Now providers can get you stitched up, fast for a fraction of the cost. MD Now doctors will also check and remove the stitches within 5-14 days, depending on wound location and individual diagnosis.

Some cuts can be treated at home, but if the wound is deep, limits functions, or is caused by an animal or rusty object; then immediate care from a healthcare professional is necessary. MD Now providers will determine if the wound needs stitches.

Here are some other methods of wound closures used by MD Now doctors.

• Suturing
• Stapling
• Tissue adhesives, like Dermabond ®
• SteriStrips

Untreated cuts, lacerations, or puncture wounds can lead to complications such as infections, nerve damage, or amputation. Always wash your hands before cleaning the wound and surrounding area after an injury. Next, apply an antibacterial cream or ointment if you are not allergic to it and cover the wound. Treating a bad cut at home can have consequence like scars, so if the wound is serious; wash, bandage, and bring yourself into your local MD Now.

4. Immunizations and Vaccines

Staying up-to-date on your immunizations not only keeps you and your children healthy, but it also prevents the spread of contagious diseases, and protects those who are unable to get vaccinated through herd immunity.

Here are just some of the many immunizations and vaccines you can receive at MD Now:

Flu Shot –  Flu season is here, and every year there is always news of the tragic outcomes the flu can bring. MD Now provides flu shot vaccinations, which you can get at any location, with no appointment needed. While there are a lot of myths surrounding the components and effectiveness of the flu shot, this vaccination is a proven method of preventing influenza.

Travel – The ticket to a safe trip? Staying healthy by getting a recommended travel vaccine based on the personal circumstances of you and your trip. The CDC and certain countries have different requirements for visiting various parts of the world. This includes the Meningococcal Vaccination for Saudi Arabia and Yellow Fever for South America and parts of sub-Saharan Africa.

Tetanus – The CDC recommends all children get this shot around the age of 11 or 12 years old, and adults should receive the vaccination every 10 years to stay protected. Infections happen when the tetanus bacteria enters the body through a puncture in the skin, leading to serious health problems or even death. That’s why it’s important to both clean wounds and stay up-to-date on your tetanus vaccination.

5. STD/STI tests

Being smart about sexual health safeguards both you and your partner against a litany of sexually transmitted diseases. MD Now has confidential STD/STI testing, including testing for HIV.

Walk in and receive speedy results for the following tests:

• HIV 1 & 2
• Hepatitis C
• Herpes 1 & 2
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis
• and more…