How to Choose the Right Urgent Care Medicine Practitioner by Dr Samuel Bride

Dr. Samuel Bride
3 min readNov 14, 2022

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When you’re feeling under the weather, the last thing you want to do is spend hours researching which urgent care medicine practitioner (UCMP) is right for you. But taking a few minutes to do so can save you time and money in the long run, observes the reputed physician Dr. Samuel Bride.

Here are four tips for choosing the right UCMP.

1. Check if your insurance is accepted.

You may have a preferred UCMP in mind, but if they don’t accept your insurance, you’ll be stuck with a hefty bill. Call your insurance provider or check their website to see which UCMPs are in your network. You can also call the UCMPs themselves and ask about their insurance policies.

2. Consider location and hours.

When you’re feeling sick, the last thing you want to do is travel far for medical care. That’s why it’s important to consider both location and hours when choosing a UCMP. If you live in a rural area, your options may be limited, but if you live in a city, you may have dozens of UCMPs to choose from.

Find one that’s close to where you live or work, and make sure their hours fit your schedule — you don’t want to end up at an urgent care center that’s closed when you need it most.

3. Research the staff.

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, take some time to research the staff at each UCMP. Read reviews from patients, check credentials, and make sure the doctors are board certified in emergency medicine orfamily medicine — these are the best qualified practitioners to see patients at an urgent care center. You can also ask friends or family members for recommendations.

4. Compare pricing.

Just because a UCMP is covered by your insurance doesn’t mean it will be free — you may still have to pay a copay or deductible. And if you don’t have insurance, find out how much each UCMP charges for various services so you can budget accordingly. Also keep in mind that some UCMPs offer discounts for seniors, military personnel, or cash payments made upfront.

Tips to select the right Urgent Care Medicine clinic

With the number of urgent care clinics popping up, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to choose the right one. When making your decision, there are a few things you should take into consideration.

● First, what is the clinic’s proximity to your home or office? If you’re looking for a clinic that you can visit on your lunch break, you’ll want one that’s close by.

● Second, what are the clinic’s hours of operation? If you’re looking for a clinic that’s open late, you’ll want to make sure that it fits with your schedule.

● Finally, what is the clinic’s reputation? You can read online reviews or ask friends and family for recommendations.

By taking these factors into consideration, you can be sure to choose the right urgent care clinic for your needs.

Conclusion:

Choosing the right UCMP doesn’t have to be complicated — just keep these four tips in mind and you’ll find the perfect fit for your needs in no time!

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Dr. Samuel Bride

As UMD Urgent Care medical director, Dr. Samuel Bride cares for patients and oversees five to ten staff members at Williamsburg and Long Island City facilities.