Answers to Common Questions Asked Before an Urgent Care Visit

You almost never plan to visit urgent care. It usually happens in the middle of something else, whether your child’s fever spikes right before bedtime, your ankle twists awkwardly when walking the dog, or maybe you’re just feeling awful and don’t have the energy to wait for your primary care doctor’s next opening. When health surprises show up, so do the questions. Do I need to go in? Will they treat this? Is it faster than the ER? Will I get the help I need?

These questions aren’t just common, they’re expected. Before you walk through the doors of an urgent care clinic, it helps to know what to expect, what’s available, and how to get the most out of your visit. Here’s a deeper look at the questions people ask most, answered clearly so you can feel confident and informed before your next urgent care trip.

 

What Health Issues Are Treated at Urgent Care?

Urgent care bridges the gap between the emergency room and your regular doctor’s office. It is fast, flexible, and designed to handle non-life-threatening health issues that still need prompt attention. If you’ve ever sat at home wondering whether your symptoms count, the answer is probably yes. At TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track, we routinely treat:

• Cough, sore throat, cold, and flu-like symptoms
• Ear infections and sinus pressure
• Fevers in adults and children
• Rashes, allergic reactions, and skin infections
• Eye irritation, pink eye, or discharge
• Minor sprains, strains, and fractures
• Urinary tract infections and abdominal pain
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Cuts, scrapes, and minor burns
• Sports injuries and minor trauma

We also offer physicals, drug screens, and a full range of services for employers and families alike. Whether it’s for your child’s school paperwork or a sudden stomach bug, our team is ready to help seven days a week.

 

What Procedures and Tests Are Available?

One of the best parts about visiting a TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track clinic is knowing we’re equipped with advanced tools and technology. You won’t need to visit multiple offices or wait days for answers. We handle many procedures and tests right here, during your visit. You’ll have access to:

• On-site X-rays for injuries, chest pain, or abdominal symptoms
• Laceration repair for cuts or open wounds
• Splinting and support for sprains and minor fractures
• Abscess drainage
• Foreign body removal from ears, eyes, or skin
• Breathing treatments for asthma or congestion
• Lab testing, including glucose, hemoglobin, and urinalysis
• Rapid testing for flu, mono, RSV, and strep
• Pregnancy testing, stool guaiac, and microscopic analysis
• Presurgical diagnostic testing including bloodwork and EKG

Our team focuses on fast, accurate results to help you move forward with answers and relief as quickly as possible.

 

Is It Better to Go to the ER or Urgent Care?

It’s a common question. Many patients end up in the ER simply because they didn’t know urgent care was an option. The emergency room should always be your first stop if you’re experiencing life-threatening symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or signs of a stroke. But when symptoms are urgent, not severe, urgent care is a smarter and faster choice. 

Here at TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track, we treat:

• Painful earaches
• High fevers without difficulty breathing
• Mild to moderate dehydration
• Minor burns or lacerations
• Injuries from falls or sports
• Flu symptoms, sore throats, and painful coughs
• UTIs or abdominal cramping

We can often get you in, diagnosed, and on your way more quickly and at a much lower cost than the emergency room.

 

Can My Child Be Seen at Urgent Care?

Yes. We see children 3 months and older at all of our locations. We know how nerve-wracking it is to care for a sick child, especially after hours. That’s why many parents rely on us when pediatric offices are closed or booked. Common reasons families visit us include:

• Fevers that won’t break
• Vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite
• Ear pulling, irritability, or congestion
• Minor injuries, sprains, or bug bites
• Rash outbreaks or allergic reactions
• Pink eye or other eye infections

Our providers have experience caring for kids of all ages. We work to keep the visit smooth, efficient, and as comforting as possible for both children and their parents.

 

What If I’m Not Sure What’s Going On?

You don’t need a formal diagnosis to come in. Many of our patients walk in simply knowing something feels off. Maybe it’s stomach pressure. Maybe your body feels more fatigued than usual. You don’t have to figure it out on your own. Our team will ask the right questions, perform a physical exam, and run any necessary tests to determine the root cause. You’ll leave with answers and a plan, whether the issue is a virus, a urinary infection, digestion-related, or something else.

 

What About Cost and Insurance?

Urgent care visits are typically much more affordable than emergency room visits. At TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track, we accept many major insurance plans. You can check which ones we accept by visiting our insurance page. If your plan isn’t listed, give us a call and we’ll gladly confirm whether we’re in-network.

We verify active insurance at the time of your visit. Once confirmed, we request a payment card on file. After your claim is processed, any remaining balance such as a deductible or co-insurance will be charged to that card. Our front office team is happy to answer any questions about this process.

For uninsured or out-of-network patients, we offer a self-pay discounted rate of $235. Additional tests or procedures may result in added charges. All care is provided by board-certified providers who can give you clear guidance on what is needed and what it may cost.

 

Do I Need an Appointment?

Walk-ins are always welcome. That’s the core of what we do. If you’re dealing with something that can’t wait, just come in. To make your visit even easier, we offer Save My Spot, our e-check-in system. It lets you fill out paperwork online and hold your place in line. This saves time, reduces your wait, and helps us prepare for your arrival. Whether you’re stopping in after work or trying to avoid the crowded waiting room with a sick child, it is worth using.

Can I Get a Physical Done at Urgent Care?

Yes. We offer several types of physicals at TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track, including:

• School and sports physicals
• Camp physicals
• Work physicals
• DOT medical exams (at select locations)
• Pre-employment and return-to-work screenings

Bring any forms you need filled out, and our providers will complete them during your visit. Most physicals are quick and can be done the same day you walk in.

 

Do You Offer Employer Health Services?

We do. TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track partners with local businesses to provide occupational health services that are fast, reliable, and professional. Some of the most common employer services include:

• Pre-employment physicals
• Drug and alcohol screening
• Post-accident evaluations
• Illness and injury care for workers
• Return-to-work exams
• Ongoing wellness monitoring

If you’re an employer interested in setting up services or opening an account with us, contact our marketing team directly at marketingteam@fasttrackurgentcare.com. We will walk you through the process and tailor services to your business needs.

 

Can You Help With Presurgical Testing?

Yes. If your specialist or surgeon has asked for presurgical clearance, TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track can take care of that. We offer:

• Bloodwork
• Chest X-rays
• EKGs
• General health assessments

We send all necessary results to your surgical team so there are no delays. Our goal is to make pre-op preparation as smooth and simple as possible.

 

Get Treated Today at a Location Near You

When you’re not feeling well or your child needs care quickly, TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track is here to help. We serve patients of all ages, including children 3 months and older, and we treat everything from minor injuries to digestive issues, sprains, infections, and more. 

Our clinics are located throughout the Tampa Bay area, with convenient access across Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Lee, and Charlotte counties. Use our Save My Spot e-check-in system to fill out forms ahead of time and skip the wait. We are open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and we are here when you need care that does not wait. Whether it’s for your family, your employees, or yourself, we are proud to be Tampa Bay’s trusted name in urgent care.