The Role Of Walk-In Clinics

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The Role Of Walk-In Clinics

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If you are uninsured, underinsured, or do not have a primary care provider, it’s critical to be informed about your options for seeking healthcare. If you’re reading this, chances are you understand the importance of being prepared and knowing your options before you are faced with an urgent situation. Don’t wait until you need to seek healthcare to know the role of walk-in clinics, primary care physicians, and Emergency Rooms. At WWMG, we have full-spectrum care for families and patients of all ages, including two walk-in/primary care clinics to supplement your long-term healthcare plan.

What Are Walk-In Clinics?

In health care, walk-in clinics refer to any healthcare provider that provides care without an appointment. Walk-in clinics were originally designed to offer a healthcare option to those without insurance, providing walk-in care for basic medical services at a fraction of the cost of emergency rooms. They have since evolved as a viable healthcare option for anyone needing urgent care.

The Role of Walk-In Clinics:

Walk-In Clinics are not appropriate for life-threatening emergencies; however, they are well designed to offer treatment for common, non-life-threatening ailments such as:

  • Severe cold or flu
  • Serious earache
  • Unusual or severe migraine
  • Fever
  • Abnormal rash

The role of walk-in clinics also includes serving those with minor injuries such as:

  • Minor broken bone
  • Mild eye injury
  • Back pain
  • Minor cuts and burns
  • Sprains

For a full list of services at our walk-in clinics at WWMG, click the link.

In the case of severe injury or illness, or if you are experiencing an injury where the symptoms may be life threatening, seek out your nearest emergency room or call 911. If you have a life-threatening emergency, a walk-in facility is not the best option, as they are usually not fully equipped with life-saving equipment for advanced treatment. Find your nearest emergency room, or call 911 immediately.

Advantages Of Walk-In Clinics

Walk-in clinics offer a variety of advantages, making them a desirable option for healthcare.

  • Provide on demand care – No appointment necessary, you don’t have to wait for your provider’s schedule to open up; walk-in clinics are often open evenings and weekends.
  • Flexible business hours – Many walk-in clinics have extended business hours and are open evenings and weekends. This is especially beneficial to those that work odd hours, or have trouble planning around a full schedule.
  • Wait times are minimal – Wait times are significantly less than at an ER, and using an urgent care facility frees up the ER to treat life-threatening emergencies.
  • Cost is minimal – Care is provided at a fraction of the cost of treatment at an ER and is comparable to what you’d pay visiting the doctor.
  • Availability – With new walk-in clinics established every day, there is often a close and convenient option.

To learn more about the role of walk-in clinics, emergency rooms, and primary care providers, read our previous blog, The Walk-In Clinic Dilemma: Deciding When and Where to Seek Emergency Care.

WWMG Walk-In/Primary Care Clinics

At WWMG, we offer two walk-in clinics, one in Snohomish, and one Lynnwood. Both of our clinics provide walk-in and full primary care for patients of all ages. 

Snohomish Family Medicine

At our Snohomish Family Medicine location, we offer full-service family medical care, including primary care and walk-in services. At Snohomish Family Medicine, the walk-in clinic provides quality medical care for anyone seeking non-life threatening urgent care. We accept most insurances, and cash and credit payments.

Lake Serene Clinic

The Lake Serene Clinic provides full-service family medical care, including primary care and walk-in services. Care is available 7 days a week. We also offer call-ahead check-ins for our walk-in clinics to reduce your wait time outside the comfort of your own home.

Primary Care

Now that you’ve educated yourself on the role of walk-in clinics, it should be clear that there are many benefits to visiting a walk-in clinic, including immediate care without an appointment, lowered costs, reduced wait time, and convenience of care. It is also important to have a primary care provider for your long-term health and wellbeing. Primary care providers are able to help you throughout your life stages, and build a lasting relationship with you, providing you with comprehensive care. That’s why it is important to consider your long-term care options and to find a long-term primary care provider to provide you with continual healthcare.

If you’ve recently moved, or have never had a primary care provider in the Western Washington area, our staff at WWMG are eager to help you find your ideal primary care provider for your future long-term health care needs.

Find a WWMG family practice location nearest you and contact us about being matched to one of our long-term primary care providers. Our family practice locations are:

Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information about our walk-in clinics, family practice locations, or any other