Does urgent care take chest x-rays?

Urgent care centers don’t typically offer x-rays. However, if you have a serious injury like a fractured sternum or ribs, a doctor might recommend a chest x-ray to rule out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms.

If a chest x-ray is part of your urgent care visit, expect to pay an extra fee. Chest x-rays are often performed for individuals who have symptoms that could indicate a respiratory infection. These symptoms can include difficulty breathing, coughing, sore throat, fever, chills, and pain or pressure around the chest.

Chest x-rays are frequently used to evaluate the lungs and other respiratory organs.

Does urgent care take x-rays for your chest?

chest x-rays are among the most common types of x-ray images in the urgent care setting. They’re quick, affordable, and provide a lot of information about the lungs, airways, and other structures of the chest. Sometimes, chest x-rays are all that’s needed.

Other times, they may be combined with other imaging tests, like CT or MRI, which provide even more detailed information. Chest x-rays are often the first test performed for suspected symptoms of pneumonia and other chest conditions.

Chest x-rays can be helpful for diagnosing chest injuries, such as cracked ribs or a punctured lung, as well as lung cancer. However, because chest x-rays aren’t always the best test for diagnosing these conditions, they aren’t always necessary for urgent care patients.

Does urgent care take x-rays?

Some urgent care centers may offer x-rays, but it depends on the provider. Some urgent care centers are primarily staffed by nurse practitioners or physician assistants who are trained to perform exams and treatments without the help of a doctor. Others offer x-rays as part of their services but charge extra for them.

If you see a provider who offers x-rays, it’s a good idea to ask how they are performed and whether you can book an appointment in advance. Most urgent care centers will not take x-rays if you have a cold or the flu. If your chest is sore, swollen, or painful and you have no symptoms of an illness, urgent care centers will not take x-rays.

However, if you are experiencing breathing issues, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, urgent care centers may suggest or require a chest x-ray to rule out a serious issue and provide you with the care you need.

Does urgent care have x-rays?

Most urgent care facilities do not have x-ray machines on site. If you need a chest x-ray, you will need to schedule an appointment with a hospital-based urgent care or make a visit to an emergency room. This is especially true if you have a severe injury, such as a collapsed lung or broken rib.

In these cases, you may need a chest x-ray to ensure that there is no other serious underlying injury. Most urgent care facilities have x-ray machines. There are a few that don’t, but they are the exception rather than the rule. Most urgent care facilities use digital x-ray machines which are faster, have less radiation, and are more convenient.

If you have a severe injury that needs immediate attention, it’s a good idea to have x-rays taken as soon as possible.

Does urgent care give x-rays?

Some urgent care facilities do offer chest x-rays as part of their services, but it's important to understand that these are not emergency x-rays, which are typically for diagnosing serious injuries. If you have chest pain, call 911 because chest pain that doesn't ease or gets worse is a medical emergency.

Chest x-rays are often used for diagnosing conditions like pneumonia. If you need x-rays, your urgent care doctor will likely refer you to an in-network urgent care facility that can provide them. If you don’t have a referral, or if the urgent care office doesn’t offer x-rays, they likely won’t give you a quick chest x-ray without your prior authorization.