urgent care

The UF Health facility in one of Gainesville's poorest neighborhoods opens after a construction process funded by city, county and federal dollars. More than 12,000 patients are expected annually.

More facilities are partnering with private equity-backed firms to offer combined emergency and urgent care. But patients may not realize prices vary between the two services — often by a lot.

The many options — particularly urgent care and free-standing ERs — can make the head spin. The wrong choice can mean big bills and even poor outcomes. Facilities have little incentive to clear up the confusion.

Referrals have become so prevalent that the American Academy of Pediatrics came out with interim guidance for doctors "to provide care for the same variety of visits" practiced prior to the pandemic.

"I definitely feel like, while I've had this amazing life, actually, there's a lot more to be had. And I plan to pursue that to the fullest extent, absolutely chase the bucket list."

A recent poll shows 27 percent of Americans have visited an urgent care center in the past two years. Why? Most cite convenience.