Healthcare in the United States has gone through significant transformation over the last few decades. While hospitals and primary care doctors remain essential, many people today rely on urgent care centers for immediate, affordable, and convenient treatment. Whether it’s a sudden fever, a sprained ankle, or a late-night infection, urgent care clinics fill the critical gap between routine doctor’s appointments and hospital emergency rooms.
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If you’ve ever searched for “urgent care near me open now,” you’re not alone. Millions of Americans rely on these facilities every year. In this detailed guide, we’ll explore what urgent care centers are, how they work, why they’ve become so popular, and highlight some of the best urgent care clinics in the U.S. that are open right now.
What Is an Urgent Care Clinic?
An urgent care clinic is a medical facility that provides immediate treatment for non-life-threatening conditions. Unlike primary care offices that require appointments and limited working hours, urgent care centers are designed for walk-in patients, often open evenings, weekends, and in many cases, 24 hours a day.
Typical services offered include:
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Minor injury treatment (sprains, cuts, minor fractures)
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Cold, flu, and respiratory illness treatment
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Ear and throat infections
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Mild allergic reactions and rashes
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Diagnostic services like X-rays and lab tests
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Vaccinations and physical exams
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Stitches, wound care, and burn treatment
In short, urgent care clinics provide fast and accessible healthcare when you need it most—without the high costs or long waits often associated with emergency rooms.
Why Choose Urgent Care Over the Emergency Room?
While both urgent care clinics and ERs treat sudden health issues, the key differences lie in cost, convenience, and severity of conditions handled.
1. Cost
Emergency room visits are notoriously expensive, often costing thousands of dollars for uninsured patients. Urgent care visits, by contrast, typically range from $100–$300 before insurance, making them far more affordable for everyday healthcare needs.
2. Wait Times
ERs prioritize patients with life-threatening emergencies, which can leave others waiting for hours. Urgent care centers generally have shorter wait times, often under an hour.
3. Accessibility
Urgent care facilities are widely available in suburban, urban, and even rural areas. Many are located near residential neighborhoods, shopping plazas, and city centers for maximum convenience.
4. Insurance Compatibility
Most urgent care centers accept major insurance plans, reducing out-of-pocket costs for patients.
Who Should Visit an Urgent Care Center?
Urgent care is perfect for situations where you can’t wait days to see a doctor but don’t need the hospital ER. Conditions that are ideal for urgent care include:
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Minor cuts that may require stitches
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Sprains and strains
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Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
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Dehydration requiring IV fluids
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Cold, flu, and fever management
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Mild asthma attacks
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Work or school physical exams
When to avoid urgent care: If you’re experiencing chest pain, severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, or major trauma, you should head to the emergency room immediately.
The Growth of Urgent Care in the U.S.
The urgent care industry has seen rapid expansion in recent years. According to the Urgent Care Association, there are now over 14,000 urgent care centers across the country. This growth is driven by patients’ demand for:
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Faster treatment
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Affordable care options
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Extended hours beyond the 9-to-5 doctor’s office model
The COVID-19 pandemic also accelerated the demand for urgent care, as clinics played a critical role in providing testing, vaccinations, and treatment for respiratory illnesses.
Best Urgent Care Clinics Open Now in the U.S.
If you’re searching for “urgent care near me open now,” here are some of the most trusted nationwide urgent care providers offering walk-in and extended-hour services.
1. Concentra Urgent Care
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Overview: Concentra is one of the largest urgent care and occupational health providers in the U.S. With hundreds of locations, many offer late-night and 24-hour service.
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Services: Injury treatment, physical therapy, diagnostic testing, and occupational medicine.
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Why Choose Concentra: Nationwide presence and excellent integration with workplace healthcare needs.
2. AFC Urgent Care (American Family Care)
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Overview: Founded in 1982, AFC has become a leading urgent care provider with clinics across 28 states. Many centers are open seven days a week, with extended hours.
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Services: Illness care, injury treatment, vaccinations, X-rays, lab testing, and telemedicine.
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Why Choose AFC: Affordable, accessible, and known for its strong patient satisfaction ratings.
3. MedExpress Urgent Care
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Overview: MedExpress is a trusted walk-in healthcare provider operating in numerous states.
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Services: Urgent care, physical exams, immunizations, occupational health, and telehealth.
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Why Choose MedExpress: Known for transparency in pricing and strong integration with Optum healthcare networks.
4. CareNow Urgent Care
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Overview: Operated by HCA Healthcare, CareNow has dozens of locations across the U.S., many offering extended evening and weekend hours.
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Services: Illness treatment, pediatric care, occupational health, telemedicine, and X-rays.
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Why Choose CareNow: Direct connection to HCA hospitals ensures continuity of care if hospitalization is needed.
5. NextCare Urgent Care
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Overview: With over 170 locations across multiple states, NextCare offers convenient and often late-night urgent care options.
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Services: Routine urgent care, X-rays, flu shots, lab testing, and physical exams.
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Why Choose NextCare: The “Wahoo” online check-in system reduces wait times significantly.
6. CityMD (New York Metro Area)
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Overview: CityMD operates more than 150 urgent care centers across New York and New Jersey, many of which have extended and weekend hours.
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Services: Illness treatment, pediatric urgent care, vaccinations, and lab tests.
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Why Choose CityMD: High patient ratings for speed and quality of care, plus strong insurance acceptance.
7. FastMed Urgent Care
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Overview: Located primarily in North Carolina, Texas, and Arizona, FastMed provides accessible urgent care with extended hours.
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Services: Injury treatment, preventive care, pediatric services, and vaccinations.
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Why Choose FastMed: Same-day care and user-friendly digital records across all locations.
8. Patient First
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Overview: Primarily serving the East Coast, Patient First operates numerous clinics open 365 days a year, some with extended and 24-hour service.
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Services: Urgent care, primary care, labs, and X-rays.
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Why Choose Patient First: Transparent self-pay options and strong emphasis on continuity of care.
9. UHealth Jackson Urgent Care (Miami, Florida)
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Overview: Operated by the University of Miami Health System, UHealth Jackson offers urgent care centers across South Florida.
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Services: Urgent care, diagnostics, vaccinations, and specialist referrals.
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Why Choose UHealth: Academic hospital network ensures high-quality outcomes.
10. Hospital-Affiliated Urgent Care Centers
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Overview: Many major hospitals now operate urgent care clinics to provide immediate treatment without requiring ER visits. Examples include:
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Cleveland Clinic Express Care (Ohio)
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Mayo Clinic Express Care (Minnesota, Arizona, Florida)
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Cedars-Sinai Urgent Care (California)
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Why Choose Them: Direct access to world-class hospital systems if more advanced care is needed.
How to Find the Best Urgent Care Near You
Here are some practical tips when searching for urgent care:
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Use Google Maps or Yelp: Search “urgent care near me” and filter by “open now.”
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Check wait times online: Many clinics allow you to see real-time wait times and check in digitally.
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Verify insurance coverage: Always confirm the clinic accepts your insurance plan before visiting.
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Read patient reviews: Ratings and feedback provide insights into staff friendliness, wait times, and quality of care.
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Look for extended hours: If you frequently need late-night or weekend care, prioritize 24-hour or late-evening clinics.
Tips for a Smooth Urgent Care Visit
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Bring your photo ID and insurance card.
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Carry a list of your current medications and allergies.
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If possible, book an online check-in to minimize waiting.
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Ask about self-pay options if you don’t have insurance.
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Follow up with your primary care physician to ensure continuity of care.
The Future of Urgent Care in the U.S.
The urgent care industry shows no signs of slowing down. Innovations like telemedicine, AI-driven diagnostics, and mobile health apps are transforming how patients access immediate care. Clinics are also expanding their services to include chronic disease management, preventive health, and behavioral health support.
As demand for convenient healthcare grows, urgent care centers will continue to play an increasingly vital role in the U.S. healthcare system.
Final Thoughts
Searching for “urgent care near me open now” doesn’t have to be stressful. With thousands of clinics across the U.S., patients today have more convenient options than ever before. From nationwide providers like Concentra, AFC, and MedExpress to hospital-affiliated centers like Cleveland Clinic Express Care, urgent care facilities ensure that reliable treatment is just around the corner.
Next time you face a sudden illness or minor injury, skip the long ER lines and high costs—consider an urgent care clinic near you. Affordable, fast, and accessible, urgent care centers are redefining how Americans approach immediate healthcare needs.