Did you know that there are an estimated 7,164 urgent care centers located in the United States? Beginning in about the 1970s, urgent care facilities began popping up all around the country as a means to help with the overwhelming number of people visiting emergency rooms every year. Most urgent care centers excel in helping people with illnesses like strep throat or the flue, and minor emergencies like broken arms and minor burns. They are by no means a replacement for an emergency center, but if you have a more minor problem, they can provide you with a quicker and usually cheaper fix. Here are a few facts you need to know before visiting a center near you for strep throat medication.

In 2012, the most common diagnosis given at urgent care centers in the United States was an upper respiratory infection. People who do not have insurance and people who go to a general practitioner who does not have the best office hours can get quick treatment for illnesses like bronchitis at urgent care centers.

Urgent Care facility visits typically charge a co-pay relative to what a doctor would charge whether or not you have medical insurance. Though this might not seem like a bonus, these co-pays are significantly less expensive than visits to the emergency room. You are also less likely to spend hours waiting to be helped at an urgent care center. Last year, the average wait time was about 15 minutes.

Urgent Care centers in the United States are required by the American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine to be open for business 7 days a week. There are also an estimated 70 percent of Urgent Care centers in the United States which are open by 8 AM for convenience. There are even a significant amount of centers that are open a full 24 hours.

No matter what you need to visit an a medical facility for, keep urgent care in mind the next time you need help quickly and as cheaply as possible. Your health and your bank account will thank you for making the best choice possible. Reference links.