Submitted by Providence Medical Group
There are times we need immediate medical care and our doctor’s office isn’t available … and we don’t need to go to the emergency room.
In Thurston County, Providence offers immediate and virtual care clinics to help fill the need. Immediate care clinics are open a variety of hours in both Lacey and West Olympia.
![Providence Medical Group](https://www.thurstontalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Providence_Oly_Ext-18-300x225.jpg)
Providence has two immediate (often called urgent) care clinics to serve patients on a walk-in basis – no appointment is necessary – for non-life threatening conditions including:
- Illnesses
- Bone, joint or muscle complaints
- Cuts, puncture wounds, burns, foreign bodies, abscesses
- Work-related injuries such as back strain, minor bruises and minor cuts (new claims)
- Services such IV hydration, IV antibiotics and splinting
- X-rays and diagnostic imaging
- Lab tests for strep throat and flu
Lacey Immediate Care: 4800 College St. SE (360-486-2900)
Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; weekends 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
West Olympia Immediate Care: 1620 Cooper Point Road SW (360-486-6710)
Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. weekends 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Bring the doctor to you – Providence Express Care Virtual
Ever “Facetimed”? Would you be willing to do it with a health care provider (via secure technology) if you needed immediate medical care for a non-life threatening condition?
Providence Express Care Virtual brings the doctor to you.
From your smartphone, tablet or computer, you can connect with a board-certified healthcare provider in minutes. Patients are connected with doctors and nurse practitioners through face-to-face secure video technology. It has proven to be accessible and expedient for patients who are seeking a diagnosis or treatment for minor medical concerns.
It’s open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to midnight. No appointments are needed. The average wait time to see a provider is less than five minutes. And the average appointment last about 10 minutes.
![Providence Medical Group](https://www.thurstontalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/express-care-virtual-1-300x186.jpg)
Download the app if you’re on a mobile device, or create an account for free on your laptop.
“I can’t even get dressed and in my car in that amount of time, especially if I am not feeling well. The convenience and easy access of Express Care Virtual is paramount,” said Dr. Todd Czartoski, Medical Director of Telehealth at Providence. “Now patients have the ability to see a provider from anyplace and anywhere without having to make an appointment with their doctor or drive to the emergency room.”
Patients are raving about the service and convenience. Providers average 4.8 stars out of 5. Nearly 99 percent of those who use the program have their concerns addressed, and for those who don’t have their concerns address, they are not charged.
Providers can make diagnoses, recommend treatments and write prescriptions for common conditions.
Signing up for Health eXpress is free. Visits are $39 or less – and many insurance plans are accepted (see here for a complete list). If you’re not using insurance, the $39 fee is payable by credit card before your visit. Please note that Express Care Virtual is not currently available to those covered under some insurance plans. For details please see FAQs.