Urgent care near me that takes blue cross blue shield

If you can't get a same-day appointment with your doctor, urgent care centers are a good back-up option for issues that just can't wait. Their aim is to treat patients quickly and efficiently. Problems like a cut finger, sprained ankle or severe cough are good reasons to visit urgent care.

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What to expect
Convenient care around the corner, around the clock
Quick and easy
Know what's covered
In your neighborhood
Latest Blue Cross Blue Shield Urgent Care Updates
Blue Cross Blue Shield Urgent Care FAQs
BCBS Urgent Care
In Good Health
What time of day is urgent care least busy?
Can I go to any urgent care if I have Medi Cal?
Does insurance cover emergency room visits?
Who owns Blue Cross Blue Shield?

In North Carolina alone, there are more than 250 dedicated urgent care clinics (such as FastMed™ Urgent Care). Most are open seven days a week and offer extended hours, including weekends and evenings. Some areas even have around-the-clock urgent care options.

Use our tool to find urgent care options near you—then add that information to your Quick Reference Guide.

Good choice for:

Preventive care
Minor health issues
Moderate health issues

What to expect

Typically, you'll wait 30 minutes or less to see a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or doctor at an urgent care center—and spend 1 hour or less in total for a visit.5 That's longer than the average visit to your doctor, but still much better than a trip to the ER.

The same is true of costs. The average Blue Cross NC member will pay $62 for an urgent care visit.4 That's more than the copayment or coinsurance you'll pay for a doctor visit under most health plans. Yet it's quite a deal compared to the emergency room, where the average member will pay about 10 times that amount!4

Convenience care centers or retail clinics

For minor health issues, convenience care centers are another back-up option. These are walk-in clinics with extended hours, where you can get basic care from a nurse practitioner. Some are even housed within retail stores. They can treat common illnesses like sinus infections, colds, flu, allergies, urinary tract infections or sore throats.

As the name implies, these clinics are convenient. Because the health problems are minor, a typical visit takes just 15 to 20 minutes.7 And the average Blue Cross NC member cost is only $24.4

NOTE: If you do visit an urgent care or convenience care center, let your doctor know about it. That way, your medical record can be updated and stay accurate.

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Convenient care around the corner, around the clock

Quick and easy

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Know what's covered

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In your neighborhood

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Latest Blue Cross Blue Shield Urgent Care Updates

Oct 31, 2022

A surge in respiratory syncytial virus is putting severe strain on children's hospitals nationwide. Hospitals first began seeing the unseasonable RSV rise in August. Now, many are reporting a case increase of over 300 percent compared to last month. (Becker's)

Oct 28, 2022

Flu-related hospitalizations nationwide have risen dramatically in recent weeks, reaching levels historically not seen until much later in flu season, according to data released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (NBC News)

Blue Cross Blue Shield Urgent Care FAQs

Is urgent care covered by health insurance?
According to Section 2719A of the Affordable Care Act, plans must cover emergency services. However, many providers may not consider urgent care as an emergency services location. Under most circumstances, though, patients will find urgent care coverage if they pay a copay or deductible. Always call ahead if you're unsure of your coverages.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance cover urgent care?
If you’re a member who visits an approved urgent care center, Blue Cross Blue Shield covers urgent care visits. The recommendation is to check to see if your primary care physician offers extended hours prior to going to an urgent care, however. Many network physicians have extended hours to help their patients during evenings and weekends. If you can't find help, then visiting an approved urgent care center is an excellent alternative.
Do retail clinics take Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance?
According to Blue Cross Blue Shield, as much as 29.8 percent of emergency room visits could have had treatment in a retail clinic. These locations are optimal for those who need care for acute or straightforward conditions. Retail clinics have locations in "big box" stores, grocers, and pharmacies. There are over 2,000 retail clinics throughout the country and, despite having Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage, they're underutilized by those with employer-based insurance.
What is my urgent care copay with Blue Cross Blue Shield?
Depending on your location, copays could be approximately $60 per urgent care visit. That's significantly lower than potentially paying $200 for an emergency room visit. However, this copay is still higher than if you visit a retail clinic. Those copayments could be as low as $20 per visit. Keep in mind that urgent care and retail clinics aren’t available 24-hours. However, you can receive 24-hour care in the emergency room.
Can I use Medicare at urgent care?
According to MedicareFAQ, patients who go to urgent care for services will receive Medicare coverage. The recommendation is to visit an urgent care center, however, if you aren't experiencing a life-threatening issue. While the temptation remains to visit an emergency room for stitches or treat a urinary tract infection, those are issues urgent care can address inexpensively.
How much does urgent care cost without insurance?
Depending on your location, urgent care costs could range between $75 and 150 for each visit. So, if you have no insurance, those are moderate costs. However, you'll incur other fees for tests, medications, or charges for extended hour visits. While these costs are lower than when you visit the emergency room, uninsured patients should prepare for all additional fees. For example, when you look at the price for treating strep throat, urgent care costs $111 compared to $531 in the emergency room.
Urgent care vs ER vs walk-in clinic
Urgent care centers are mid-range for co-payments, and you'll find nurse practitioners, physicians, physician assistants, and registered nurses on staff. These locations are optimal for non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses. Many areas offer extended hours. Walk-in clinics, also known as retail clinics, are the most affordable option for patient care. Their locations are usually found outside of or next to "big box" stores, pharmacies, or other large retail locations. They're open weekends, as well as other extended-hour times. Emergency rooms are the priciest option for medical care. While they're open 24/7, they're not good to use as a first-choice unless you're experiencing a life-threatening issue. Emergency rooms have staff and equipment available to handle just about every medical emergency.

The staff was awesome. Very helpful very professional especially the doctor she was awesome. Very caring but very professional. Will come back and very highly recommended to others. And they accept our PPO insurance, Blue Cross Blue Shield Anthem. Will be highly recommended to go there. Great place.

- Verified patient on 9/3

Good urgent care. Cheap copay with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Super short wait time. Website check in makes waiting even less than it would be. In and out in 20 mins. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. No complaints.

- Verified patient on 11/23

BCBS Urgent Care

Since Blue Cross's founding in 1929 and the merger with Blue Shield in 1982, they have grown into an association consisting of thirty-six health insurance companies and affiliates in their federation, including Anthem, Highmark, CareFirst, and Regence. That makes them one of the most common health insurers in the United State, even internationally. The main reason is that patients can find healthcare services in over 170 countries. Over 106 million people throughout the country can make policy claims through Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) with their memberships.

As a BCBS member, when you're sick or injured after office hours, urgent care centers are an excellent alternative to visiting an emergency room (ER), or waiting until you can see your primary care doctor. When you visit these locations, you'll find physicians and other qualified healthcare providers available to assist with a broad range of medical issues. These issues include everything from administering vaccines to treating the flu to performing x-rays.

According to statistics by Blue Cross Blue Shield, 54.3 out of every 1,000 members visited the emergency room between 2011 and 2015. Patients visiting a physician's office for minor conditions equaled 973 per 1,000 members. What many patients may not realize is their out-of-pocket costs for going to urgent care is less than visiting the emergency room. Urgent care centers are optimal when you need care that isn't life-threatening. As an HMO member, your urgent care visit has coverage so long as you visit an approved center. Be sure you have your Blue Cross Blue Shield ID card with you at the time of your visit.

If you're unsure if Blue Cross Blue Shield will cover the urgent care near you, call their 1-800 number or visit the company's website. Remember, consulting your BCBS affiliate is your best recourse for receiving specific details regarding services.

Related topics:

List of all BCBS affiliates
Member Services: Assess Your BCBS Benefits
BCBS Alternatives to emergency room care
Understanding BCBS coverage to maximize your care

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What time of day is urgent care least busy?

If you can, avoid the busiest urgent care hours. First thing in the morning can also be busy, as people who've been suffering during the overnight hours come in to seek care. You'll usually have the shortest wait time during mid-day, when there are typically less patients seeking care.

Can I go to any urgent care if I have Medi Cal?

Yes, many urgent care clinics do accept Medi-cal.

Does insurance cover emergency room visits?

The Affordable Care Act requires insurance companies to cover care you receive in the ER if you have an emergency medical condition. You don't need to get approval ahead of time, and it doesn't matter whether the hospital or facility is in or outside of your insurance network.

Who owns Blue Cross Blue Shield?

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a national association of 34 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross Blue Shield companies. The Association owns and manages the Blue Cross and Blue Shield trademarks and names in more than 170 countries around the world.