If you have a minor injury or illness and feel like it is appropriate to seek medical attention, then you have a variety of different options. Ideally, you call up your family doctor and are able to book an appointment. However, if no appointments are available, then you also always have the option of going to a pay-for-service walk-in medical clinic. 

To help you decide if a walk-in is the best option for your situation, you must first know these important things.

You Need to Know If Your Health Insurance Covers a Visit and Follow-Up Lab Tests

If you don't have any medical insurance coverage, then utilizing a walk-in medical clinic is a great way to save a lot of money. However, if you have private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, then it can become complicated. 

Many walk-in clinics don't take insurance and most insurance providers and programs won't cover additional lab tests, radiology studies, or specialist referrals by one because they aren't contracted to provide these services. 

Before going to a walk-in emergency clinic, make sure you don't have other requirements from your insurer or government-run program that dictate where you can and can't be seen and what happens if you need additional follow-up care.

You Need to Know When It's Appropriate to Visit a Walk-In Medical Clinic

Before you pay to see a doctor at a walk-in clinic, you need to know when it is appropriate and when it isn't. Walk-ins are best for simple medical ailments, such as for the following:

• poison oak
• poison ivy
• possible strep throat
• muscle strains

Alternatively, there are also times when it isn't appropriate to visit a walk-in urgent care clinic, including when you have any of the following conditions:

• chest pain
• a chronic medical condition
• a possible broken bone
• seizures
• diabetes

In addition, if you have emphysema or other complicated medical condition, then you should either see your own physician or go to the local emergency room.

You Need to Know If You Will Be Seeing a Medical Doctor or Another Medical Professional

Finally, if you have decided it's appropriate for you to visit the local urgent care clinic, then it's important you know whether you will be seeing a medical doctor or another medical professional such as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. 

Many walk-ins are staffed with alternative practitioners. While this isn't inherently a bad thing, it's important to know what you are paying for when you arrive. If you only want to see a medical doctor, then it's vital to inquire if that's who you will be seeing.

For more information, contact a walk-in medical clinic near you.