What is virtual urgent care?
Virtual urgent care is online medical care for health issues that need immediate attention but are not emergencies. Instead of visiting a clinic, care is delivered through a secure telehealth system that connects you with a licensed doctor using video, phone, or secure messaging, depending on your needs. During a telehealth urgent care visit, the platform allows the doctor to:
- Review your symptoms and medical history
- Ask focused questions in real time or through follow-up messages
- Assess whether your condition can be safely treated online
- Prescribe medication, issue a sick note, or provide other treatment
This flexible communication makes it easier to get help quickly, whether you’re at home, traveling, or unable to visit a clinic.
What virtual urgent care can reasonably help with?
Although healthcare services vary by provider, urgent care is appropriate for most mild illnesses and minor injuries that don’t always require a hands-on exam. It focuses on time-sensitive, non-emergency medical concerns, such as:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Ear infections
- Rashes
- Pink eye
- Allergies
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Erectile dysfunction
- Panic attacks or sudden anxiety symptoms
- Getting a doctor’s note for work or school
When should you use online urgent care for non-emergency medical needs?
Certain medical conditions, although not emergencies, still require in-person monitoring and may not be treated with a telehealth urgent care visit. This can include:
- Performing a throat swab or rapid antigen test to confirm strep throat in case of recurring symptoms
- Using an otoscope exam to diagnose a middle ear infection
- Ordering blood tests and ongoing monitoring for chronic conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, or anemia
- Providing structured treatment and follow-up care for substance use or drug addiction
- Conducting hands-on physical exams for children under the age of 6, as symptoms can change quickly and are harder to assess remotely
Similarly, conditions that require physical exam tools, diagnostic testing, or carry higher clinical uncertainty aren’t always safe to treat online. Managing these issues virtually can increase the risk of missed diagnoses or delayed care, which is why clinicians may recommend in-person evaluation instead. If you’re unsure whether your symptoms can be treated through virtual urgent care, you can always connect with an online doctor for quick guidance on the best next step.
How does an urgent care virtual visit work for after-hours care?
One of the biggest advantages of an urgent care virtual visit is on-demand access. Whether it’s late at night, early in the morning, or over the weekend, online urgent care lets you get medical help without waiting for clinics to open or sitting in an emergency room. Even though the visit happens online, the process closely mirrors a traditional urgent care experience, just more convenient. Here’s how it typically works:
1. Sign up and access the telehealth service
You start by downloading a telehealth app or visiting the provider’s website and creating an account. This step usually takes only a few minutes and helps ensure you get secured virtual care.
2. Share your symptoms
Next, you’ll answer a short questionnaire or form about your symptoms, when they started, your medical history, and any medications you’re taking. This information helps the doctor understand your concern before the visit begins.
3. Connect with a licensed doctor
Once your information is reviewed, you’ll be connected with a licensed doctor through video or phone, often within minutes. For after-hours care, this means you don’t have to wait until the next business day to speak with a provider.
4. Get evaluated and receive guidance
During the visit, the doctor will ask follow-up questions, review your health status, and determine the safest next step. When appropriate, treatment recommendations or prescriptions may be provided, or you may be advised to seek in-person care if needed.
5. Receive documentation and follow-up instructions
After the visit, you’ll receive clear instructions on what to do next, such as how to manage symptoms at home, when to expect improvement, and what warning signs should prompt further care. In short, urgent care virtual visits make care more accessible by bringing medical guidance to you, anytime you need it.
Is a virtual visit to urgent care better than the emergency room?
Virtual urgent care can be a better option than the emergency room when your health concern is not life-threatening. Emergency rooms are intended for serious conditions and often involve long wait times for issues that can be handled quickly online. You may wait hours in the ER for medication refills, such as Escitalopram for anxiety, a doctor’s note for school, or a lab requisition. Hence, online urgent care may be the right choice when:
- Cost matters, as emergency care can cost 2 to 3 times as much as an in-person doctor’s visit.
- Care can be provided by video or phone
- You want faster access to care
- A clinician can safely assess your symptoms online
However, telehealth urgent care is not a substitute for emergency care. If a physical exam, imaging, or immediate intervention is needed, the clinician will guide you to seek in-person or emergency treatment.
How does 24/7 virtual urgent care provide immediate medical support?
24/7 virtual urgent care means help is always available. Whether it’s the middle of the night, a weekend, or a holiday, you can start care from home, while traveling, or wherever you are, without waiting for a clinic to open. Here’s how 24-hour urgent care over the phone is able to respond quickly, anytime you need it:
Fast symptom check and smart triage
Most services begin with a short set of questions about your symptoms, medical history, and how you’re feeling. This helps quickly determine whether your issue can be safely treated online or if you need in-person or emergency treatment. It’s a way to get you to the right level of care without delay.
Multiple ways to connect with a doctor
Depending on your situation, you may connect with a licensed provider through video, phone, or secure messaging. This flexibility means you can still get medical help even if your internet connection is weak or you’re on the go.
Clear next steps and safety guidance
If treatment is appropriate, the doctor can send prescriptions directly to your local pharmacy, so you don’t have to pick up paper forms. You can also receive doctor’s notes and lab requisitions straight to your inbox, and download referrals directly from the app when you need them.
Frequently asked questions about telehealth urgent care
Can urgent care prescribe medication online?
Yes. Licensed doctors can prescribe medications through an online urgent care visit, as long as it’s clinically appropriate and permitted under state rules. During a virtual visit, web- or phone-based services guide you through symptom questions, after which a doctor or nurse practitioner reviews your case and decides on suitable telemedicine treatment. This includes:
- Antibiotics prescription
- Antifungals prescription
- Antihistamines prescription
Can urgent care prescribe antibiotics over the phone?
Yes, urgent care doctors can prescribe antibiotics over the phone when it’s medically appropriate. The doctor will review your symptoms, ask a few questions, and decide whether an antibiotic is needed. Common examples may include:
If an antibiotic isn’t the right choice, you’ll be advised on next steps or in-person care.
Where can I find virtual urgent care with no insurance?
You can use Your Doctors Online, a 24/7 virtual urgent care service that doesn’t require insurance. Getting started is simple:
- Download the app
- Share your symptoms
- Get connected with a licensed doctor
If appropriate, you can receive treatment, prescriptions, or doctor’s notes all without visiting a clinic.
How much do virtual urgent care visits cost?
The cost of virtual urgent care depends on the telehealth platform you use. Some services charge a one-time visit fee, while others offer subscription plans that bundle multiple services together. With Your Doctors Online, you can choose a subscription that includes access to virtual urgent care, prescriptions, sick notes, and other medical services under one plan, often at a lower cost than paying per visit.
Can telehealth urgent care give you a doctor’s note?
Yes, virtual urgent care can provide a doctor’s note for food poisoning, the flu, or other short-term illnesses. The doctor will assess your symptoms during the visit and issue a note if it’s medically appropriate. These notes are legitimate, verifiable, and typically accepted by workplaces and schools when supported by clinical signs.
