Getting the help you need when you’re sick can make all the difference in your recovery. When a health issue pops up that’s not urgent enough for urgent care or a hospital, but your primary care provider isn’t readily available, convenient care clinics can help. But what is a convenient care clinic? At Groups, we know how important it is to take care of yourself, especially while in addiction treatment. In this article, we’ll explore five key benefits of visiting a convenient care clinic like ours and other things to keep in mind before scheduling an appointment.
1. Convenient care clinics treat everyday ailments.
Think of your local convenient care clinic as an extension of your primary health care provider. They can help you figure out why you’re not feeling well or manage the symptoms of a chronic condition. For example, the providers at our Convenience Clinic can diagnose and treat a wide range of non-life-threatening health concerns, including:
- Allergies
- Bacterial or viral infections, like pink eye or urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Congestion, sore throats, and coughs
- Rashes and other skin conditions
- Digestive issues
- Joint discomfort
- Muscle pain
- Dental issues
Plus, our Convenience Clinic providers can help with sensitive health issues, such as sexual health concerns. They also provide prescription management services,* so you can refill your birth control, insulin, EpiPen, or blood pressure medication easily.
Please note that you should bring your current prescription bottle or a clear photo of the label. Also, not all refills are appropriate for the Groups Convenience Clinic. The Convenience Clinic doesn’t provide refills for controlled substances. Your provider has final discretion.
2. Telehealth is available at many convenient care clinics.
It’s not always easy to get to a doctor’s appointment when you’re feeling under the weather, especially if your work or personal schedule doesn’t allow for much flexibility. But technology helps bridge that gap. Many convenient care clinics, like the one at Groups, offer telehealth services. This means that you can see a health care provider without having to go to their office — you simply talk to them online using your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Taking advantage of telehealth services comes with several benefits, such as:
- More availability — It can be easier to pencil in an appointment if you can cut out the commute to your provider’s office.
- Zero lines — Telehealth lets you skip the line you might find in a busy waiting room at an urgent care center before being treated.
- Greater comfort — When you’re feeling especially unwell, you get to speak with your provider in a private, more comfortable environment, like your bedroom.
- Care from virtually anywhere — If you just need a quick wellness check or prescription renewal, you can see your provider from your home, work, or even your car.
- Less risk of getting or spreading illness — Using telehealth can help prevent you and others from getting sick due to being in close contact with one another.
If you’ve never used virtual health services before, think of them as an extension of the care you already receive. You can expect the same level of empathy, quality, and coordination with your care team as you would at an in-person consultation.
3. You can get an appointment quickly.
When you need to see someone right away for a common medical concern, a convenient care clinic with same-day or next-day scheduling availability is here for you. This is especially helpful if it usually takes days or weeks to get an appointment with your regular provider or going through the on-call service after hours isn’t ideal.
For example, the Convenience Clinic at Groups schedules telehealth appointments within 48 hours. This means you don’t have to put your treatment on hold, put off getting the prescriptions you need to manage your health effectively, or spend hours in urgent care when you don’t feel well.
4. Convenient care clinics typically accept health insurance.
Many convenient care clinics accept a wide range of health insurance plans, so you don’t have to worry about paying out of pocket for something your plan would normally cover at your provider’s office. Some even participate with select health plans, which means they’re considered “in network.” Keep in mind that it’s always a good idea to check with the clinic to make sure this part of the process goes smoothly.
The online appointments at our Convenience Clinic are either covered by our members’ insurance or included in their existing self-pay rate. That way, you can spend less time worrying less about the cost of health care and focus more on your well-being and personalized recovery goals.
5. Providers deliver personalized, high-quality care.
Convenient care clinics are meant to support the continuum of care. Although they’re not a replacement for your primary care provider, these licensed providers offer the same high standard of care. They’ll listen to your concerns, review your symptoms, and take the time to explain your diagnoses — just like your regular doctor. They’ll also review your treatment plan, renew prescriptions, and discuss your next steps with you to help ensure that you fully understand what’s ahead.
At Groups, you don’t have to feel like you’re starting from scratch with someone new. Our Convenience Clinic providers already know our members’ health histories, current medications, and specific needs, so your treatment coordinates seamlessly with your existing care plan.
How to prepare for an online provider appointment
If you’re new, you’ll likely need to share a little more about yourself besides your current symptoms. For instance, here are a few things you might need for your online clinic appointment:
- Health insurance and ID cards
- Brief medical history (e.g., surgeries, medical conditions)
- Allergy list
- Medication list
If your telehealth appointment is with a health organization you usually visit in person, they’ll likely have all this information on file. In that case, just plan on discussing any recent changes in your medical history or insurance. Also, it’s a good idea to jot down a list of questions for your provider so that you don’t forget to ask them something important during your appointment.
When to go to urgent care or the emergency room instead
The providers in convenient care clinics can address several medical concerns, but sometimes you might need to go to urgent care or a hospital. Urgent care is like a convenient care clinic in that it treats the same illnesses, but it usually offers a broader range of services for things that need more hands-on care, like broken bones or deep cuts that need stitches. You can also go to urgent care for EKG testing, occupational physicals, sports physicals, vaccinations, and more.
The emergency room (ER) is where you should be if you’re experiencing a life-threatening illness or injury, such as:
- Signs of a stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty)
- Chest pain and other heart attack symptoms (shortness of breath, feeling faint)
- Motor vehicle accident
- Seizure
- Severe burn
- Loss of consciousness
- Persistent bleeding
- Poisoning
If you or someone you know is experiencing a true emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital ER immediately.
Learn more about our Convenience Clinic today
Let us help you bridge the gap between substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and overall wellness. Groups members in Indiana and Virginia can get the health care they need from a team they already know and trust. Talk to your Groups care team to learn more about how to book an appointment and the services available from our Convenience Clinic.
Give our Recovery Support Specialists a call today at 888-858-1723 for more information or to begin your recovery. We provide treatment across the country — and we’re always expanding. See if we offer care in your state, either online or at one of our 130+ local offices. If Groups does not offer treatment in your area, you can locate other treatment options here.
