Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to go to an urgent care center or an emergency room?

If you need immediate medical care for a non-life-threatening ailment or condition, our emergency medicine trained doctors provide prompt treatment, without the wait or high cost of a visit to the emergency room. If you are experiencing symptoms of a life-threatening condition, however, call 911 immediately or seek emergency department care. Some common situations needing emergency room care:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Unconsciousness
  • Severe bleeding
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Moderate to severe burns
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • Serious head, neck or back injury
  • Loss of limb or severe broken bone
Do you treat infants?

Our emergency-medicine trained physicians provide advanced medical care for the whole family, including infants with minor ailments. If your infant is under the age of 3 months and has a fever, please call your pediatrician or go to the nearest emergency department.

How long will I have to wait?

We value your time. Our goal is to provide you with excellent medical care with the shortest wait possible. Most patients can be examined, treated, and on their way home in an hour or less. Depending on patient volume, some patients may be seen faster.

Do I need an appointment?

No. We understand that healthcare needs happen without warning so no appointment is necessary.

Do you give flu shots?

Yes, we will have flu shots once they become available each season.

Who will take care of me at your urgent care center?

You will be taken care of by one of our board certified physicians. They are passionate about urgent patient care and staying up to date on the ever-changing field of medicine. You can feel confident coming to Urgent Care by the Bay for your medical needs.

Is in-house medication dispensing the same as being a pharmacy?

No, we can only distribute pre-packaged medications in the clinic. Fortunately, many commonly prescribed medications are pre-packaged, and we have them available. At a pharmacy, your prescribed medication isn’t packaged until they receive your prescription from the health care provider. We offer this service to our patients to save you the trouble of going to a pharmacy when you are not feeling well. If your condition requires a less commonly used medicine, we will provide a prescription that can be filled at a local pharmacy.

Will it take a long time to get my medications?

It should take less than 10 minutes to fill your prescription, as we do not have to count or package the medication. Plus, you’ll save time not having to drive to the pharmacy.