When an acute injury or illness strikes, the patient has some important decisions to make. Sometimes the injury or illness isn't serious enough to warrant going to an Emergency Room, but it certainly needs medical attention. Often it's difficult for a patient to be seen at their Primary Care doctor's office so what are the alternatives?
With the increase in the number of Urgent Care clinics which have opened many patients see this as a unique alternative to their healthcare. They are able to be seen without an appointment (although the payoff is that there might be an extended wait depending on how many other patients had the same idea), and many Urgent Care centers offer a variety of services.
Employers also look to Urgent Care centers to help employees who have been injured on the job. Employers are able to have their employees examined, treated and are able to have more direct lines of communication with the provider so they can work together to make sure the employee is recovering and back to work as quickly as possible.
Urgent Care centers are a great alternative to busy Emergency Rooms. They're outpatient medical clinics (in most cases) and are able to charge non-ER rates. Urgent Care centers can also offer basic preventative treatments such as vaccinations for travel, flu shots, sports or employment physicals and more. At First Care of Gainesville (SIMED's Urgent Care Center) we have the added benefit that if you are unable to be seen at your Primary Care doctor's office, any treatment you receive at First Care is included into your medical record. There's no guessing by your Primary Care doctor and your medical record stays complete!
What should you look for if you have to select an Urgent Care clinic?
- Is it staffed by a Medical Doctor and is that Doctor on-site? Are they available to you when you're being treated?
- What services do they provide? Will you need to make additional trips for labs, radiology services (x-ray, MRI, etc..)?
- What type of Urgent Care center are they? Some are affiliated with Hospitals or are considered an extension of an Emergency Room which can affect your deductibles, co-pays or other insurance benefits. Check before you go.
- Is my injury appropriate for an Urgent Care center? Not all injuries or illness are right for an Urgent Care center setting. For example, if you experience chest pains, you should call 911.
When an acute injury or illness strikes, the patient has some important decisions to make. Sometimes the injury or illness isn't serious enough to warrant going to an Emergency Room, but it certainly needs medical attention. Often it's difficult for a patient to be seen at their Primary Care doctor's office so what are the alternatives?
With the increase in the number of Urgent Care clinics which have opened many patients see this as a unique alternative to their healthcare. They are able to be seen without an appointment (although the payoff is that there might be an extended wait depending on how many other patients had the same idea), and many Urgent Care centers offer a variety of services.
Employers also look to Urgent Care centers to help employees who have been injured on the job. Employers are able to have their employees examined, treated and are able to have more direct lines of communication with the provider so they can work together to make sure the employee is recovering and back to work as quickly as possible.
Urgent Care centers are a great alternative to busy Emergency Rooms. They're outpatient medical clinics (in most cases) and are able to charge non-ER rates. Urgent Care centers can also offer basic preventative treatments such as vaccinations for travel, flu shots, sports or employment physicals and more. At First Care of Gainesville (SIMED's Urgent Care Center) we have the added benefit that if you are unable to be seen at your Primary Care doctor's office, any treatment you receive at First Care is included into your medical record. There's no guessing by your Primary Care doctor and your medical record stays complete!
What should you look for if you have to select an Urgent Care clinic?
- Is it staffed by a Medical Doctor and is that Doctor on-site? Are they available to you when you're being treated?
- What services do they provide? Will you need to make additional trips for labs, radiology services (x-ray, MRI, etc..)?
- What type of Urgent Care center are they? Some are affiliated with Hospitals or are considered an extension of an Emergency Room which can affect your deductibles, co-pays or other insurance benefits. Check before you go.
- Is my injury appropriate for an Urgent Care center? Not all injuries or illness are right for an Urgent Care center setting. For example, if you experience chest pains, you should call 911.
SIMED believes in providing the best possible care to our patients. Your opinion matters to us so let us know how we're doing! By taking our brief patient survey you can help us not only improve our customer service, but acknowledge our SIMED employees who are doing an exceptional job for you already.
You can also help us recognize our outstanding SIMED employees by nominating them for our Starfish Employee Recognition Program if they've done something to Make Your Day while you were visiting a SIMED location.
It's easy! There are 3 ways to nominate any SIMED employee:
- Through the Online Patient Survey
- By Requesting a paper nomination form at any SIMED location
- By telling any SIMED manager!
Let us know about the SIMED employees who have helped Make Your Day!
SIMED believes in providing the best possible care to our patients. Your opinion matters to us so let us know how we're doing! By taking our brief patient survey you can help us not only improve our customer service, but acknowledge our SIMED employees who are doing an exceptional job for you already.
You can also help us recognize our outstanding SIMED employees by nominating them for our Starfish Employee Recognition Program if they've done something to Make Your Day while you were visiting a SIMED location.
It's easy! There are 3 ways to nominate any SIMED employee:
- Through the Online Patient Survey
- By Requesting a paper nomination form at any SIMED location
- By telling any SIMED manager!
Let us know about the SIMED employees who have helped Make Your Day!
SIMED has been recognized as a Gold-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite by the American Heart Association for helping employees eat better and move more.
“Physical activity and employee wellness are important priorities at SIMED. We are honored and excited to be recognized by the American Heart Association as a Gold-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite,” said Daniel M. Duncanson, MD, CEO. “We’re committed to providing the best workplace environment possible. The positive attitude and energy created by employees becoming healthier and more fit will transcend throughout the worksite producing positive results for them personally and for SIMED overall.”
The Fit-Friendly Worksites program is a catalyst for positive change in the American workforce by helping worksites make their employees’ health and wellness a priority.
American employers are losing an estimated $225.8 billion a year because of healthcare expenses and health-related losses in productivity, and those numbers are rising. Many American adults spend most of their waking hours at sedentary jobs. Their lack of regular physical activity raises their risk for a host of medical problems, such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Employers face $12.7 billion in annual medical expenses due to obesity alone. The American Heart Association is working to change corporate cultures by motivating employees to start walking, which has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity.
For more information about the Fit-Friendly Worksites program and how it is helping to improve the health of Americans by focusing on an activity that is convenient, free and easy visit startwalkingnow.org.
SIMED has been recognized as a Gold-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite by the American Heart Association for helping employees eat better and move more.
“Physical activity and employee wellness are important priorities at SIMED. We are honored and excited to be recognized by the American Heart Association as a Gold-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite,” said Daniel M. Duncanson, MD, CEO. “We’re committed to providing the best workplace environment possible. The positive attitude and energy created by employees becoming healthier and more fit will transcend throughout the worksite producing positive results for them personally and for SIMED overall.”
The Fit-Friendly Worksites program is a catalyst for positive change in the American workforce by helping worksites make their employees’ health and wellness a priority.
American employers are losing an estimated $225.8 billion a year because of healthcare expenses and health-related losses in productivity, and those numbers are rising. Many American adults spend most of their waking hours at sedentary jobs. Their lack of regular physical activity raises their risk for a host of medical problems, such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Employers face $12.7 billion in annual medical expenses due to obesity alone. The American Heart Association is working to change corporate cultures by motivating employees to start walking, which has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity.
For more information about the Fit-Friendly Worksites program and how it is helping to improve the health of Americans by focusing on an activity that is convenient, free and easy visit startwalkingnow.org.
SIMED is pleased to announce that our Southeastern Primary Care and SIMED specialty physicians, as well as SIMED ancillary services, are participating Tier 1 providers in the GatorCare Network.
Many of you have contacted our offices inquiring about your Primary Care Physicians and other members of your healthcare team. SIMED Primary Care providers will be able to continue to see you under the GatorCare Prime Plus and GatorCare Premium plan options.
If you are an existing patient, we thank you for allowing us to continue as partners in your health care. If you are a new 
patient under the GatorCare Network, we look forward to helping you with your healthcare goals.
To schedule an appointment with any of our SIMED providers, you may request an appointment online or contact one of our offices directly.
If you have questions regarding your plan or would like more information about SIMED, please call us at (352) 224-2200.
We invite you to learn more about the GatorCare Network by visiting their website at www.healthplan.ufl.edu.
SIMED is pleased to announce that our Southeastern Primary Care and SIMED specialty physicians, as well as SIMED ancillary services, are participating Tier 1 providers in the GatorCare Network.
Many of you have contacted our offices inquiring about your Primary Care Physicians and other members of your healthcare team. SIMED Primary Care providers will be able to continue to see you under the GatorCare Prime Plus and GatorCare Premium plan options.
If you are an existing patient, we thank you for allowing us to continue as partners in your health care. If you are a new patient under the GatorCare Network, we look forward to helping you with your healthcare goals.
To schedule an appointment with any of our SIMED providers, you may request an appointment online or contact one of our offices directly.
If you have questions regarding your plan or would like more information about SIMED, please call us at (352) 224-2200.
We invite you to learn more about the GatorCare Network by visiting their website at www.healthplan.ufl.edu.
