Things to Know About Urgent Care Before You Go
Urgent care centers are your go-to for non-emergency medical needs. We handle everything from colds and flu to minor injuries, offering on-site testing, physical exams, prescriptions, and vaccinations. When you need care outside of regular doctor’s office hours, come to us at Express Health Urgent Care. Our medical team is committed to providing fast, reliable, and compassionate care. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations in East Harlem NYC, Metropolitan NYC, and Staten Island NYC.


Table of Contents:
What is the best time of day to go to urgent care?
Do I need to make an appointment to visit urgent care?
How long will an urgent care visit take?
What kind of doctor will treat me at an urgent care?
Determining the optimal time to visit the Express Health Urgent Care facility largely depends on the severity and urgency of your health condition. Express Health Urgent Care is designed to provide essential medical services for non-life-threatening conditions, particularly when accessing primary care isn’t possible.
Under normal circumstances, the best time to seek care at Express Health Urgent Care is during their early opening hours, typically between 8 am to 9 am, or early afternoon. This is when wait times tend to be shorter due to fewer patients seeking care. Additionally, morning hours offer more availability for diagnostic tests or procedures. However, peak hours usually occur during the late afternoon and early evening, often due to a combination of end-of-day work shifts and after-school activities. Therefore, if possible, try to avoid visiting during these times.
But while it’s advisable to visit Express Health Urgent Care during off-peak hours, the severity of your condition should always be your primary consideration. If you have severe symptoms or anticipate a potentially life-threatening situation, get medical assistance immediately, regardless of the time of day.
Express Health Urgent Care typically has extended hours on weekends and holidays, however, these times can also be busier due to increased demand for services. Thus, anticipate longer wait times if visiting during these periods.
When you’re feeling unwell or have an injury that needs immediate attention, you might be wondering: “Do I need to make an appointment to visit Express Health Urgent Care?” Most urgent care centers, including Express Health Urgent Care, generally operate on a walk-in basis. This means that you can simply walk into our facility without any prior appointment and receive medical care for non-life-threatening conditions, such as minor fractures, burns, sprains, or illnesses like the flu.
Express Health Urgent Care also offers the option to schedule appointments, especially during peak hours or for individuals with busy schedules. This is a preferred practice during the current COVID-19 pandemic to better manage patient flow and maintain safety protocols.
Conditions that typically require urgent care without an appointment at Express Health include minor injuries like cuts, sprains, broken bones, infections such as urinary tract infections, strep throat, sinus infections, respiratory issues like colds, flu, bronchitis, gastrointestinal problems like vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and skin conditions like rashes, burns, and insect bites.
However, some conditions may require an appointment, such as ongoing issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, pregnancy-related concerns, immunizations or vaccinations, and physical exams or checkups.
When deciding if an appointment is necessary at Express Health Urgent Care, consider the severity of your symptoms, the convenience of appointment slots and wait times, and if your health insurance covers urgent care visits without an appointment.
If you are unsure whether your condition requires an appointment at Express Health Urgent Care, it’s always a good idea to call ahead or check our website. We can provide guidance and direct you to the appropriate level of care. Rest assured, at Express Health Urgent Care, we are designed to provide quick, convenient access to medical care when you need it most.
When visiting an urgent care center like Express Health Urgent Care, the duration of your visit can fluctuate based on several factors like the severity of your condition, the complexity of the medical issue, and the availability of our healthcare professionals. Typically, a visit to Express Health Urgent Care can last anywhere between one to three hours, depending on your specific circumstances.
At Express Health Urgent Care, we provide immediate attention for non-life-threatening conditions that don’t require a visit to the emergency room but need prompt care. These conditions can range from minor injuries such as cuts, sprains, and burns, to infections like urinary tract infections or strep throat, allergies, and respiratory issues like coughs and colds.
The duration of your visit to Express Health Urgent Care largely depends on your condition. Minor illnesses or injuries can usually be diagnosed and treated in under an hour. However, if your condition is more complex and requires additional testing like blood tests or X-rays, your visit may be extended.
The clinic’s visit duration is influenced by time and patient volume, with peak hours causing longer wait times. Preparation, including identification, insurance, symptoms, medications, and medical history, can expedite the visit and reduce wait times.
Express Health Urgent Care’s visit duration is difficult to predict, but understanding the process can help manage expectations and ensure efficient care. Follow healthcare provider and nursing staff instructions, ask questions, and clarify concerns for a comprehensive treatment plan.
When you visit Express Health Urgent Care, you can expect to be treated by our team of highly trained healthcare professionals, who are equipped to handle a wide array of non-life-threatening conditions that require immediate attention. Our team typically includes physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners, all of whom are qualified to diagnose illnesses, prescribe medication, and provide treatment.
Physicians: Urgent care physicians are licensed medical professionals with expertise in emergency medicine or family medicine. They treat illnesses like colds, flu, and infections, minor injuries like sprains, fractures, and cuts, and perform minor procedures like wound repair and casting.
Physician Assistants (PAs): Our PAs are healthcare professionals who work under the direction of a physician. They hold a master’s degree in physician assistant studies and have passed the national certification exam. PAs at Express Health Urgent Care can diagnose and treat diseases and injuries, order and interpret tests, write prescriptions, and perform minor procedures.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs): Our NPs are healthcare professionals who have completed a graduate-level nursing degree and have passed a national certification exam. NPs at Express Health can provide a wide range of medical services, including diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and injuries, ordering and interpreting tests, prescribing medications, managing chronic conditions, and providing patient education.
If you seek specific specialty care or are unsure which type of provider will treat you at our urgent care center, we encourage you to contact us beforehand. We can provide you with information on the qualifications and experience of our healthcare providers and ensure we have the appropriate healthcare provider available.
The staff at Express Health Urgent Care is committed to offering high-quality, quick, and efficient care to get you back to your normal routine as soon as possible, regardless of the type of health professional you see. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations in East Harlem NYC, Metropolitan NYC, and Staten Island NYC. We serve patients from East Harlem NYC, Manhattan NY, Brooklyn NY, Metropolitan NYC, Williamsburg, NY, Greenpoint NY, Staten Island NYC, Rossville, NY, Tottenville, NY, and surrounding areas.


Additional Services You May Need
▸ Broken Bone and Fractures
▸ Chronic Disease Management
▸ COVID-19 Testing
▸ DMV Vision Tests
▸ Drug Testing/Screening
▸ EKG Services
▸ Illness and Injuries
▸ IV Fluids/Medications
▸ On-Site Lab + X-Ray
▸ STD Testing
▸ Stitches
▸ UTI Treatments
▸ Urgent Care
▸ Splinting
▸ Abdominal Pain
▸ Flu Test
▸ Sore Throat
▸ Blood Work
▸ Flu Vaccines
▸ Urine Test
▸ Pediatrics Services
▸ Adult Treatments