Can Urgent Care Facilities Test for STDs? What You Need to Know

Can Urgent Care Really Help Me With an STD Test?

The short answer is, yes! Many people who are looking for routine or precautionary STD tests visit urgent care facilities instead of a private practice or their primary care physician. Urgent care facilities are a great option if you are concerned that you may have contracted an STD and need to see a physician.

If you are sexually active, it is best practice for you and your partner(s) to receive regular STD tests, even if you’re both taking precautionary steps to avoid receiving and transferring STDs. Many STDs spread through body fluids, such as blood, vaginal fluids, or semen. While condoms are 98% effective in preventing transferring STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea that are spread through body fluids, they do not protect against STDs that spread from skin-to-skin contact, like genital warts, herpes, and syphilis. Some STDs hide in plain sight and do not show symptoms, so you may not know you have one. The best thing for you and your partner to do is to get tested once every three to twelve months, depending on your level of sexual activity to ensure that you are STD free.

If you have questions about STD testing and treatment, urgent care facilities can help. They are significantly less expensive than hospitals or private practices, and often have more convenient hours to meet your busy lifestyle. With urgent care facilities, you will have a better chance of being seen quickly at a time that works for your schedule than if you made an appointment with your primary care physician.

STD Tests at CityLife Health vs a Private Practice

You do not have to go through your primary care provider or a private practice to get tested for an STD. When finding the perfect urgent care facility for your needs and budget, be sure to find a partner in healthcare that you can depend on to deliver quick results, clear answers, as well as a helping hand on getting and staying healthy after dealing with an STD.

At CityLife Health, STD tests are quick and painless! We make it our priority to deliver fast, friendly, and convenient service to ensure that our patients feel supported and involved in decisions regarding their health. Our healthcare professionals are here to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and provide top-tier care to patients in the Greater Philadelphia area.

Our clinic offers a large array of STD testing and treatment services conducted by highly-trained staff. We keep your best interests at the forefront of every diagnosis that our providers make and every prescription they write. Our goal is to help you feel informed, empowered, and confident about your sexual health, even if you are not experiencing any physical symptoms and are simply looking for routine care.

When visiting us at CityLife Health, you can expect to receive a thorough physical exam along with an assessment of any noticeable STD symptoms you may be experiencing. If you are experiencing symptoms that are concerning, such as abnormal discharge, vaginal odor, itching or irritation, pain during intercourse, or painful urination, be sure to let your physician know as these are indicators that something could be wrong. 

After the initial exam, your healthcare professional may require you to give a urine and/or blood sample to help pin-point a proper diagnosis. Once the results are back from the lab, your provider will better understand your symptoms and assign a proper diagnosis.

Typically, after the results are in, your provider will review your diagnosis with you, and answer any questions you may have. If you are showing symptoms, your healthcare professional will provide the appropriate prescription and instructions for follow up care to help you treat the STD as quickly as possible. After receiving care for symptoms, you should begin to feel relief within a few days, but be sure to give us a call if you’re not feeling better. Going forward, your provider can also help you make a plan to use protection like condoms and dental dams to stay STD free.

To start the process and learn more about STD testing, locate a CityLife Health walk-in clinic and reach out for more information on taking steps toward staying STD free, and to learn about your payment options.

What Kind of Insurance is Accepted at Urgent Care Facilities?

Wondering how much you’ll have to pay out of pocket for a quick trip to a walk in care facility for an STD test? While out-of-pocket expenses differ depending on your insurance plan, you can typically expect to pay much less than you would if you went to a private practice or if you visited your primary care doctor. Under the Affordable Care Act, many insurances cover STD testing for free or a reduced price. 

The best thing for you to do is connect with your insurance provider to see what urgent care centers and services are covered under your plan. If you have Medicaid, CityLife Health takes your insurance.

Paying for you and your family’s medical care should never be a burden. At CityLife Health we accept all Medicaid plans, to help make your visit affordable and stress-free. If you have questions about paying for your healthcare services, give us a call! We’re happy to help you navigate your options and find a financial solution that works for you. We accept credit cards for self pay to help accommodate everyone needing quality healthcare in and around the Greater Philadelphia area.

If you have any questions regarding STDs, urgent care services, insurance coverage—or if you just want to learn more about the different Medicaid plans we accept—be sure to contact us or visit one of our three locations. We’re here to answer any questions you may have and help you become the healthiest version of yourself.

Check out our locations and get directions to your nearest walk in care , now!