What is an urgent care clinic?

 

Urgent care is essentially an alternative to your primary physician and the emergency room. Urgent care clinics tend to have longer hours than primary care clinics do. It’s a great option for someone who has a mild injury or feels sick during a time that their primary physician’s office is closed. Also, it is a great option for someone whose condition is not severe enough for the emergency room. Katy Gaston Urgent Care offer vaccines, strep and flu tests, x-rays, and more.

 

When should I choose the ER over urgent care?

 

Any instance that involves a heart attack, stroke, major bleeding, labor, or unconsciousness needs to be treated in an emergency room. Urgent care clinics often have wait times, and not a second should be wasted in these severe conditions. Even if there was not a wait time, the physician at an urgent care clinic would not be able to give you proper medical attention under these circumstances and would send you to the nearest emergency room.

 

What is the cost, and is insurance accepted?

 

Katy Gaston Urgent Care accepts most insurances.  However, there are cases in which some insurance will not be accepted. If you are unsure, call our clinic and we will be happy to discuss your options. If your insurance is accepted, patients should expect to pay a co-payment ranging from an average of $20 to $50, but this depends entirely on your insurance. We also offer self-pay options and discounts.

 

Do I have to make an appointment?

 

Katy Gaston Urgent Care is routinely walk-ins only. However, we also encourage patients to sign in online. This can decrease your wait time.

 

Does Katy Gaston Urgent Care treat patients of all ages, including infants?

 

Katy Gaston Urgent Care providers will evaluate and treat patients of all ages, including infants. Depending on the presenting symptoms, infants need to be directed for further evaluation, but our team of clinicians can help to determine the best plan of treatment. While Katy Gaston Urgent Care will evaluate anyone – regardless of age – who visits one of our centers, our providers may decline to treat infants (6 months or younger) and refer them back to their pediatrician or ER, where they can receive the best possible care.

 

What type of services and treatment options does Katy Gaston Urgent Care offer?

 

Katy Gaston Urgent Care treats a wide variety of injuries and illnesses, including sprains, flu, skin ailments – such as poison ivy and cellulitis – urinary tract infections, strep throat, and more. Our centers have the necessary equipment onsite to provide top quality care. If deemed necessary, our medical professionals can complete X-rays, laboratory services (such as strep tests and urinalysis), EKGs, stitches, and more.

 

Does Katy Gaston Urgent Care offer vaccines and immunizations?

 

Katy Gaston Urgent Care offers many immunizations for adults, including the flu vaccine and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough vaccine); however, there are some regional variances in vaccine availability. It’s always best to call your local center first to see if the immunization you’re looking for is in stock. View the full list of immunizations available.

 

As for children, Katy Gaston Urgent Care does not provide routine child immunizations with the exception of annual flu shots (for children ages 4 and older) and tetanus shots (if needed due to an injury).

 

Does Katy Gaston Urgent Care treat dental issues, such as tooth aches?

 

For dental pain and tooth aches, our providers can evaluate you and may prescribe antibiotics, if needed. From there, we can refer you to a dentist, as they are the best professionals to consult for any dental needs.

 

Does Katy Gaston Urgent Cares conduct eye examinations?

 

Our providers do not prescribe glasses or contacts. However, our full medical team can help with eye-related illness or injuries, such as pink eye. If further specialized treatment is needed, we can refer you to an eye specialist.

 

Does Katy Gaston Urgent Care treat chronic conditions, such as diabetes?

 

Our full medical team will gladly evaluate anyone in need of medical care and help decide the best plan of treatment. However, chronic medical conditions are best handled by a PCP, who can offer a long-term treatment plan. It’s always important to remember that if you think you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

 

Does Katy Gaston Urgent Care offer physicals?

 

Katy Gaston Urgent Care provides convenient and affordable physicals for a variety of reasons. Please check below for specific information related to your needs.

 

School Physicals  – Yes, we offer school physicals, except in Arkansas and Virginia. If your school’s physical form requires verification of past immunizations or an immunization history, it’s best to visit your pediatrician or PCP since we do not have access to that information.

Sports Physicals – Yes, we offer sports physicals for adults and children ages 6 and up.

DOT Physicals – Yes, we offer DOT physicals, but we do recommend that you schedule an appointment for this service. Katy Gaston Urgent Care schedules DOT physicals up to 30 days in advance. Call us  to choose a date and time that works best. Be sure to come to your appointment prepared with all necessary documentation.

Work-Related Physicals – Yes, we offer work-related physicals. This grouping includes general, pre-employment, and return-to-work physicals. Katy Gaston Urgent Care also offers Drug and Alcohol Screenings.

Daycare Physicals – Yes, we offer daycare physicals; however, if your daycare’s physical form requires verification of past immunizations or an immunization history, it’s best to visit your pediatrician or PCP since we do not have access to that information.

 

Does Katy Gaston Urgent Care provide mental health services?

 

If you’ve visited us as a patient, Katy Gaston Urgent Care can help make a mental health referral for new symptoms, but we also encourage you to reach out to community resources. If you have insurance, the 1-800 number on the back of your card will connect you with someone who can help with in-network referrals.

 

Does Katy Gaston Urgent Care provide gynecology care?

 

Katy Gaston Urgent Care does not provide routine gynecological or OB care, which includes conducting ultrasounds and prescribing birth control. However, we can conduct pregnancy testing after a medical evaluation and provide medical treatment to pregnant women who are being seen for a minor illness or injury.

 

Does Katy Gaston Urgent Care offer STD/STI testing?

 

Katy Gaston Urgent Care can provide initial sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing.