Urgent Care
Urgent Care by Gagon Family Medicine Now open at 8:00 AM daily*
*Price location only. Huntington Urgent Care open at 8 am Monday – Friday. See a full list of hours here.
You wake up one morning feeling out of sorts. Your muscles ache, you have a headache, and you’re running a fever. You know you should see a doctor as soon as possible, but where should you go? Do you visit your local emergency department (ED)? Or turn to urgent care services? What is the difference between urgent care vs. an emergency room?
This is a common dilemma. With its 24/7 availability, many people seek care in an emergency department. But some health concerns don’t require emergency treatment. Urgent care centers help reduce reliance on emergency rooms for health issues that are not life-threatening.
Visiting an Emergency Department
While a person might have a shorter wait for urgent care, certain medical situations require the resources of an emergency department and an emergency medicine doctor. Always call 911 or go to your nearest ER if you think you may be experiencing a medical emergency. If you go to urgent care with a serious illness or injury, you will be sent or transported to the nearest hospital ER, which will delay your care. Situations that require the resources of an emergency department and an emergency medicine doctor include:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Sudden or severe pain
- Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath
- Dizziness/weakness
- Sudden changes in vision
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Severe or persistent diarrhea
- Poisoning
- Burn care
- Evaluation of an assault, physical/sexual abuse or child abuse
Gagon Urgent Care
Urgent care is the right option for non-life threatening emergencies or when your physician’s office is closed or unable to provide an appointment. An urgent care is not a substitute for having a primary care provider.
Urgent care serves people needing prompt medical attention for minor illnesses or injuries that can’t wait until the next day. At an urgent care center, which may be staffed by doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, patients can receive treatment for various illnesses. Urgent care works best for situations that need attention but are not life-threatening including:
- Colds, fever, cough, sore throat
- Flu, nausea, vomiting
- Infections, including urinary tract infections
- Allergic reactions and rashes
- Sprains and minor broken bones
- Minor injuries including cuts and bruises
Get safe, timely access to urgent care services by your own trusted providers.
Urgent care services are offered on a walk-in, call-ahead, or telehealth basis. By calling ahead, you can reserve your place in line and get an estimated time to arrive. Rather than starting your wait time when you arrive at the clinic, your wait time can be spent in-transit or in the comfort of your home. Walk-ins are also welcome and will be added to the existing waiting list upon arrival.
Emergency Department vs. Urgent Care
Emergency |
Urgent Care |
| Open 24/7 | Varies by Location (link to our hours) |
| Care Provided By: Emergency Medicine Physicians | Care Provided By: Medical Group Physicians/APP’s |
FAQ’s
Do I need to be a patient of Gagon Family Medicine to visit their Urgent Care?
No. Anyone who needs urgent care services is welcome.
How long will I have to wait?
During walk-in hours, patients are treated on a first-come, first-serve basis. Wait times vary based on the number of people seeking care as well as the severity of their condition.
Do I need an appointment?
No. You may walk-in, call ahead to reserve your place in line, or arrange a telehealth visit.
Can I be seen for a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) as an urgent care patient?
No. Our policy is to only offer AWV’s to patients who have established their on-going care with our office. The purpose of an AWV is to establish an individual plan of care for the upcoming year that the patient and their provider then work together to implement. Best practice for the benefit of the patient is that the plan of care is developed between them and the office where they receive their primary care.
Can I get a refill of routine medications as an urgent care patient?
Yes, but. Routine medications are best refilled by your regular provider. If you run out of medications while traveling, a simple and free solution is to call your primary care provider and request they send a refill to your regular pharmacy. You can then ask a local pharmacy to transfer your prescription from your regular pharmacy to the pharmacy you are visiting, and they can fill it for you. If this solution does not work for you, we will be happy to see you and evaluate your medication needs.
Do I have to provide my complete medication list during an urgent care visit?
Yes. It is our policy to review a complete list of all medications for each patient at each visit. We also require authorization to query your pharmacy history. Many patients do not remember the exact name or dose of their medications so getting the name and dose directly from the pharmacy helps to make sure we have complete and accurate medication information.