When you or a family member are sick and not feeling well, you want to get seen and get treated so you start feeling better sooner rather than later. There is not always time to wait weeks for an appointment with your primary care doctor, and not all medical needs require a trip to the hospital. This is where medical center emergency physicians can help take care of your medical urgency and situation with skilled, compassionate, and speedy care. These facilities specialize in non-emergency care and are staffed by nurses, doctors, and medical professionals who can take care of you and your family. Most cases they deal with are non-life-threatening and not overly serious. Issues such as sinus infections and colds, headaches, cold or flu care, minor injuries, and minor wounds are commonly seen at these centers. By calling the non-emergency ER number for your local urgent care facility you can find out the process involved in getting seen. In most cases, it will be faster, easier, and more affordable than a trip to the hospital ER center. Be sure to call around as most cities and towns have more than one center that offers convenient medical care.

The general public knows very little about urgent care clinics and urgent care costs — and it’s becoming an increasingly pressing problem. Emergency room overcrowding, or patients with non-life-threatening injuries and ailments packed into emergency rooms with limited staff and resources, can easily cost lives. What do Americans need to know about emergency rooms versus 24-hour urgent care centers?

1. Your Bills Will Be Less Expensive!

Contrary to popular belief, if your health insurance carrier does not cover the particular ailment or injury you’re seeking treatment for — the emergency room is not the next best alternative. True, they are obligated to treat you. They are not — in any way — obligated to charge you a reasonable or discounted rate. Significantly reduce healthcare bills by choosing nearby urgent care centers whenever possible. Urgent care costs can cut bills nearly in half!

2. Time is Money (And You’re Wasting It In The ER!)

Emergency room overcrowding is becoming an increasingly prevalent problem. The average wait for emergency room care was at least 46.5 minutes to 58.1 minutes in 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals. What’s more, that wait time has likely increased in recent years. The average wait time and treatment time for urgent care facilities are approximately 60 minutes. Like the emergency room, most walk-in facilities are open nontraditional hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Some urgent care facilities are also open round-the-clock, or 24 hours a day.

3. Urgent Care Staff Members Are Qualified To Treat Serious Injuries

There is a troubling misconception that emergency rooms and hospitals are the only facilities capable of treating semi-serious injuries, such as strains and sprains. That isn’t true. Urgent care doctors and staff are highly qualified, and most centers are equipped with the adequate tools to diagnose and treat concussions, strains, sprains, lacerations, food poisoning, and more.

Don’t contribute to one of America’s most troubling trends. Prevent emergency room overcrowding by choosing viable alternatives — like convenient and cost-efficient urgent care facilities. Find out more at this site.