Urgent Care Spending Surges 50% as Usage Rises

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new report from the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI) reveals that spending on urgent care has skyrocketed over the past five years, increasing by more than 50% between 2018 and 2022. However, the surge in urgent care costs is largely fueled by more people using these services, not necessarily higher prices for each visit. The number of urgent care centers has jumped from 10,500 in 2018 to over 14,000 in 2022, making care more accessible, particularly in underserved areas.

Why it matters

The rise of urgent care centers reflects a fundamental shift in how Americans access healthcare. While offering convenience and cost savings compared to emergency rooms, it also presents challenges that require careful consideration and proactive solutions from employers, insurers, and policymakers.

The details

The HCCI report points to several factors driving the increased use of urgent care, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the convenience of extended hours, walk-in appointments, and streamlined check-in processes. Urgent care centers typically treat conditions like minor injuries, colds, flu, ear infections, and urinary tract infections – ailments that don't necessarily require an emergency room visit but need attention sooner than a standard primary care appointment allows. The financial benefits of choosing urgent care over the emergency room are substantial, with the average treatment cost for a urinary tract infection being $218 at urgent care compared to $2,511 at the emergency room.

• The number of urgent care centers jumped from roughly 10,500 in 2018 to over 14,000 in 2022.
• Spending on urgent care increased by more than 50% between 2018 and 2022.

What they’re saying

What’s next

As healthcare shifts towards value-based care models, urgent care centers may be incentivized to focus more on quality and outcomes, rather than simply volume. Employers, insurers, and policymakers will need to closely monitor these trends and develop strategies to optimize healthcare delivery and control costs.