Urgent care centers serve a critical purpose by providing better access to health care. They’re popular because they offer more flexibility for people with work hours that aren’t compatible with traditional doctors’ offices. Wait times are usually shorter, clinics are more readily available in population centers and often stay open later in the evenings as well as weekends. Additionally, accepting walk-ins and providing essential services like vaccinations helps to reduce the strain on traditional healthcare systems.
For many people, urgent care centers are the go-to option for mild injuries, illness or non-emergency health problems. Because of this, it’s no surprise that people assume that they can receive any medical service at these locations – including ultrasounds. However, it’s best not to assume. Here’s what to know about whether urgent care offers ultrasounds, when to consider them and what people might need before receiving one.
What urgent care usually provides
According to the National Institutes of Health, urgent care centers are intended as a stopgap measure to provide routine or basic healthcare services when people cannot access their regular doctor’s office. Likewise, for non-life-threatening situations, urgent care is preferable to prevent people from overwhelming emergency rooms.
The American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine notes that a wide range of standard services is available at these centers. These centers are ideal for treating minor injuries, such as sprains, minor fractures, cuts that require stitches, mild burns or issuing a doctor’s note for a return to school after an illness. Especially during cold and flu season, urgent care helps reduce the load on hospital systems by treating common illnesses and infections. Since these facilities have authorized doctors and physician assistants, they can prescribe medications for less severe conditions like sore throats, ear infections, urinary tract infections and mild respiratory illnesses.
For diagnostics, many centers offer X-rays for basic imaging to check for broken bones, pulled muscles or lung issues. They also perform various on-site lab tests, including blood tests, urine tests, rapid strep tests and COVID tests, as per the CDC. For those needing preventive care but lacking time for a formal appointment, urgent care is a popular option for vaccines, offering shots such as the flu, tetanus and COVID-19.
Finally, they offer convenient physical exams for purposes like school, sports, immigration or employment screenings. While less common, some diagnostic ultrasound services are also available. However, because availability varies significantly – even within a single network – individuals seeking an ultrasound should always call ahead to confirm the service and understand if they meet the specific eligibility criteria.
Urgent care limitations
Urgent care is convenient, but even New York-Presbyterian Hospital reminds us that it’s not always the right place for every medical need. It lacks the full capacity, specialists or advanced resources that hospitals or imaging centers often have. Crucially, any complex or serious condition that is life-threatening (such as chest pain, symptoms of a stroke, or severe bleeding) demands an immediate trip to the emergency room.
Furthermore, urgent care is generally insufficient for specialized imaging or advanced scans. The Cleveland Clinic outlines that not all ultrasounds are created equal; more precise diagnostic tools, such as MRIs, CT scans or high-resolution specialist ultrasounds for complex cardiac or neurological concerns, must be performed at hospitals or specialized imaging centers that house the necessary advanced equipment.
Aetna also notes that urgent care is also unsuitable for continuous follow-up by a specialist. If you’ve undergone treatment requiring consistent monitoring, specialists – like a cardiologist, gastroenterologist or vascular surgeon – will direct you to a hospital or specialist center for necessary imaging. Finally, consider the need for in-depth diagnostic interpretation. Some ultrasounds require a precise technique that must be performed by trained sonographers and accurately interpreted by a radiologist. These specialists are typically not employed at all medical facilities.
High-risk pregnancy or fetal ultrasound
Some pregnancies are rated as high risk, such as pregnancies over age 35 or a woman with a history of previous complications (i.e., miscarriages, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes). For these individuals, Solv Health advises that an obstetrician or maternal-fetal specialist is a more suitable choice for prenatal care than an urgent care facility.
As explained by Dr. Faith Ohuoba, an OB-GYN, founder of Myoimani and Obstetrics & Gynecology Assistant Clerkship Director at the University of Houston, deciding between a hospital or urgent care facility will depend on “how urgent the diagnosis or treatment needs to be.” Scenarios like vaginal discharge may not require emergency interventions and can be managed at an urgent care. Still, “If someone is having labor symptoms, they should go to a hospital where continuous monitoring and bedside management are available,” she cautions.
Why would I need an urgent ultrasound?
Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the internal structures of the body. It does not use radiation, so the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rates it as a safer option, especially during pregnancy or for repeated use. Although it can be a routine procedure, there are some scenarios where a person might need an urgent ultrasound as part of an initial diagnostic process. Common concerns can include abdominal and pelvic pain, kidney stones, suspected appendicitis or even an ectopic pregnancy. Likewise, vascular issues, potential blood clots, soft tissue issues and any internal bleeding or trauma can all require an ultrasound for diagnosis.
Do you need a referral to get an ultrasound?
In most cases, a referral is not necessary. Some urgent care centers can order and perform ultrasounds directly, especially for straightforward or point-of-care needs, and may even advertise these services. However, insurance companies may sometimes require ultrasounds to be labeled as a medical necessity to apply coverage. This means that a provider must document why it’s needed. Similarly, specialized or advanced ultrasounds typically require referrals and are not generally offered at all facilities.
Bottom line
Urgent care centers provide accessible and convenient medical care to many communities. Some do offer ultrasound services, especially for more basic imaging needs. However, they have limitations in terms of equipment, staff training and complexity. For serious, complex or specialized imaging, going to a hospital or specialist is often the better choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an ultrasound scan cost?
Ultrasound costs can vary widely and depend on many factors, including location, the type of ultrasound, whether it’s performed in a hospital or private facility and insurance coverage. According to CareCredit, the average cost of an ultrasound in the U.S. without insurance is $200 to $800. A study published in the National Library of Medicine also notes that, in some hospital settings, prices can be significantly higher, with costs being even more than $40,000 in extreme cases.
Do I need to shave for an ultrasound?
Typically, people don’t need to shave for an ultrasound. These exams involve applying gel to the skin and then moving a probe over the area where the gel has been used. Hair usually does not block the ultrasound waves.
Citations
Allen L, Cummings JR, Hockenberry JM. The Impact of Urgent Care Centers on Nonemergent Emergency Department Visits. Health Services Research. Published 2021. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8313962/
AAUCM Staff. What Is Urgent Care Medicine? American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine. https://aaucm.org/what-is-urgent-care-medicine/
CDC Staff. CDC. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Published 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/index.html
New York-Presbyterian Staff. Emergency vs. Urgent Care: What Is the Difference? NewYork-Presbyterian. https://www.nyp.org/digital-health/virtual-urgent-care/emergency-vs-urgent-care
Cleveland Clinic Staff. Ultrasound: What It Is, Purpose, Procedure & Results. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4995-ultrasound
Aetna Staff. Is It Urgent…Or An Emergency? Aetna. https://www.aetna.com/health-guide/medical-emergency-go-er-urgent-care.html
Solv Health Staff. Going to Urgent Care While Pregnant. Solv Health. Published 2024. https://www.solvhealth.com/health/going-to-an-urgent-care-while-pregnant
FDA Staff. Ultrasound Imaging. Food & Drug Administration. Published 2024. https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/medical-imaging/ultrasound-imaging
Stephanie Dwilson. How Much Does an Ultrasound Cost? CareCredit. Published 2023. https://www.carecredit.com/well-u/health-wellness/ultrasound-cost/
Shen C, Moss JL. Large Variations in Hospital Pricing for Standard Procedures Revealed. BMC Research Notes. Published 2022. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8981177/