How Do Urgent Cares Work?

An urgent care visit generally involves registration, a medical evaluation, diagnostic testing when needed, and a treatment plan. At Physicians Now Urgent Care, we aim to make the process straightforward while addressing your immediate medical concerns.

Here is what you can generally expect:

• Registration and check-in: You will provide your contact information, medical history, current medications, allergies, and insurance information, if applicable. Bring a photo ID and your insurance card if you have coverage.

• Initial assessment: A healthcare professional may check your vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels. You will also be asked about your symptoms and when they began.

• Medical examination: The provider reviews your health concerns, medical history, and symptoms before performing an appropriate physical examination.

• Diagnostic testing: Depending on your condition, additional testing may be recommended. Physicians Now offers laboratory testing and X-rays to help evaluate certain illnesses and injuries. Other available testing includes flu, COVID-19, RSV, and strep testing.

• Diagnosis and treatment: After reviewing the examination findings and available test results, the provider explains the likely diagnosis and appropriate treatment options. Treatment may include medication recommendations, wound care, or other services based on your medical needs.

• Discharge and follow-up: Before leaving, you receive instructions about medications, home care, follow-up appointments, or additional evaluation if needed.

• Wait times can vary depending on patient volume and the seriousness of each patient’s condition. Some medical concerns require additional testing or evaluation, which may extend the visit.

The cost of an urgent care visit depends on the medical evaluation, complexity of the condition, and any additional services required. At Physicians Now Urgent Care, self-pay consultation pricing has been documented as starting from $150 for eligible uninsured patients under the clinic’s discounted fee schedule.

Additional charges may apply for laboratory testing, X-rays, medications, medical supplies, and procedures. More complex medical concerns may also require a higher-level consultation.

For patients with health insurance, the final out-of-pocket cost depends on their individual plan, including applicable copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance. Our team can help explain available payment options and direct patients to the appropriate insurance information.

Patients are encouraged to ask about the consultation fee and additional service charges before treatment whenever possible. The final amount may depend on the findings of the medical evaluation and the services needed.

At Physicians Now Urgent Care, we provide prompt, compassionate medical attention for a wide range of non-life-threatening conditions—so you can get the care you need, right when you need it, without the long wait for a primary care appointment.

• Cold, flu, and fever symptoms

• COVID-19, flu, and other rapid testing

• Sore throat and respiratory infections

• Ear infections and sinus infections

• Allergic reactions and seasonal allergies

• Minor cuts, lacerations, and wound care

• Sprains, strains, and minor fractures

• Skin rashes, infections, and minor burns

• Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

• Minor eye infections or irritations

• Sports and school physical exams

• On-site X-rays and laboratory testing

• Vaccinations and preventive health services

At Physicians Now Urgent Care, our goal is to provide fast, convenient care for sudden health concerns while helping patients avoid long emergency room wait times. Our clinic offers evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for many everyday urgent medical needs in a comfortable and efficient setting.

Yes. You can visit Physicians Now Urgent Care without health insurance. Patients who do not have coverage can use the clinic’s self-pay options for eligible medical services.

Before beginning treatment, ask about the consultation fee and any additional costs that may apply to your medical needs. The exact amount may depend on the complexity of your condition and the services recommended by the provider.

Not having insurance should not prevent you from asking about available care options.

Urgent care is appropriate for many non-life-threatening illnesses and minor injuries that require prompt medical attention. However, some medical conditions require emergency department care rather than an urgent care visit. At Physicians Now Urgent Care, we encourage patients to understand their symptoms and seek the appropriate level of medical attention without delaying necessary treatment.

Seek emergency medical care or call 911 for symptoms such as:

• Severe chest pain, pressure, or tightness.
• Significant difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
• Sudden facial drooping, weakness, or difficulty speaking, which may indicate a stroke.
• Uncontrolled bleeding or serious injuries.
• Severe allergic reactions involving throat swelling or breathing difficulties.
• Loss of consciousness, prolonged seizures, or sudden confusion.
• Severe burns or major head, neck, or spinal injuries.

Important precautions before your visit:

Before receiving medical care, inform our medical team about your existing health conditions, current medications, known allergies, and previous reactions to medications or treatments. Parents and caregivers should also share relevant medical information when bringing children for evaluation. If symptoms become severe or worsen rapidly, seek emergency care rather than waiting for an urgent care appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Urgent Care

The length of an urgent care visit depends on your medical condition, the number of patients waiting, and whether diagnostic testing is needed. Simple evaluations may take less time, while visits involving X-rays, laboratory tests, or additional treatment may take longer.

Some rapid diagnostic tests provide results during the visit, while other laboratory tests may require additional processing time. Our medical team explains the expected timing and discusses the results and recommended next steps when they become available.

An urgent care provider may provide a work or school excuse note when medically appropriate following an evaluation. The documentation depends on your symptoms, examination findings, and the provider’s clinical judgment.

Yes. Persistent symptoms such as fever, coughing, sore throat, digestive problems, or ongoing discomfort may require medical evaluation. Urgent care can assess many non-emergency conditions and help determine whether additional testing or treatment is needed.

Yes. You can discuss multiple health concerns during your visit. Inform our medical team about all your symptoms so the provider can evaluate your concerns and determine which issues can be appropriately addressed during the appointment. Additional evaluation or follow-up may be recommended when necessary.

Dr. Chinedum Olisemeka, DO, with over 21 years of experience, guides patients through urgent care visits at Physicians Now Urgent Care in Rockville, MD, with a focus on quick evaluation and clear communication. When patients arrive with sudden illnesses or minor injuries, he carefully reviews symptoms, performs a thorough examination, and determines the appropriate tests or treatments needed to address the concern efficiently.

With his extensive experience in urgent and emergency care, Dr. Olisemeka helps ensure patients receive timely attention without the long wait often associated with emergency rooms. At Physicians Now Urgent Care, he works closely with the medical team to help patients understand their condition, recommended care, and any necessary follow-up so they can feel confident about the next steps in their recovery.

Contact us today for more information. Our urgent care is conveniently located at 15215 Shady Grove Rd., Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850. We serve patients from Rockville MD, Gaithersburg MD, Darnestown MD, Potomac, MD and Travilah, MD, and surrounding areas.

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