FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Our goal is simple; we strive to provide a high level of easily accessible and affordable medical care to patients. Here are some of the frequently asked questions our clients have:

What Can Be Done at an Urgent Care Clinic?
An urgent care clinic is a convenient place to turn if you need walk-in care for an acute, non-life-threatening illness or Tower medical, we are, equipped with on-site x-ray, EKG and lab injury. Unlike primary care practices that require appointments and are often booked for days in advance, urgent care clinics treat patients on a walk-in basis and are often open during extended hours. They’re also a much more sensible and affordable alternative to bustling emergency rooms in non-life-threatening scenarios. Here are a few examples of health concerns that can be treated at an urgent care clinic:
  • Allergy symptoms
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Cold and flu symptoms
  • Strep throat
  • Dehydration
  • Sinus infections
  • Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
  • Ear pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Heartburn
  • Sprains and strains
  • Mild burns and rashes
  • Cuts and wounds with controlled bleeding
When Should I Go to ER?

Many people face this question on a daily basis. As a general rule of thumb, individuals who fear loss of life, limb, or vision should promptly call 911 or go to the nearest ER. It’s also important to seek emergency care if you or someone around you experiences any of the following:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Sudden dizziness or confusion
  • Sudden changes in vision
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Persistent or severe chest pain
  • A wound with uncontrolled bleeding
  • An injury with a visible deformity, such as exposed bone or muscle
  • A near-drowning incident, car accident, or traumatic injury, such as a gunshot wound
  • A fever higher than 104 degrees Fahrenheit (102.2 degrees for young children)
When Should I Go To Urgent Care

In non-life-threatening scenarios, visiting an urgent care clinic is a more sensible, convenient, and affordable choice. Urgent care clinics specialize in providing walk-in treatment for many common health concerns, such as:

  • Nasal congestion and runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • Cough
  • Ear pain
  • Painful or burning urination
  • Sinus pain and pressure
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Mild burns and rashes
  • Heartburn
  • Sprains and strains
Is Urgent Care Cheaper Than the Primary Care Doctor’s Office?

So, you’ve woken up with a nasty cold and aren’t sure where to seek care. Your main options are the local urgent care clinic and your primary care doctor’s office, but which choice is more affordable?

Despite urgent care’s reputation for being more expensive than primary care, the costs of these services are usually quite similar, especially for individuals with insurance. Costs will vary by provider, though, so you may want to check what urgent care clinics and primary care centers accept your insurance before your visit.

Affordable Urgent Care From Board-Certified Doctors

Lifeline Urgent Care in the Houston, TX, is pleased to provide affordable urgent care services to adults and children with non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Our patients are seen by board-certified family medicine, infectious disease, and internal medicine doctors who emphasize compassionate and personalized service. The unique expertise of our practitioners also allows us to provide many primary care services, making us a one-stop shop for routine medical care.

what is tele Urgent Care?
Tele-Urgent care is a video visit with your medical provider using your mobile phone or tablet or laptop computer. Tele-urgent care offers patients ages 2+ the same quality of care that you expect otherwise being seen at the doctors office.
Do you accept my insurance?
We accept most major insurances for both our in person clinic visits as well as Tele- urgent care visits. We also offer a flat fee option of $49 for our Tele-urgent care visit. Please call our clinic to verify your insurance coverage with our clinic.
How long does the video visit last for Tele Urgent Care?

Video visits typically last around 10 to 15 minutes.

Is the link for the video visit secure?

Our Tele Urgent Care uses secure, and crypto technologies, that comply with all Hippa regulations to keep your patient information secure.

What Can Be Done at an Urgent Care Clinic?
An urgent care clinic is a convenient place to turn if you need walk-in care for an acute, non-life-threatening illness or Tower medical, we are, equipped with on-site x-ray, EKG and lab injury. Unlike primary care practices that require appointments and are often booked for days in advance, urgent care clinics treat patients on a walk-in basis and are often open during extended hours. They’re also a much more sensible and affordable alternative to bustling emergency rooms in non-life-threatening scenarios. Here are a few examples of health concerns that can be treated at an urgent care clinic:
  • Allergy symptoms
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Cold and flu symptoms
  • Strep throat
  • Dehydration
  • Sinus infections
  • Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
  • Ear pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Heartburn
  • Sprains and strains
  • Mild burns and rashes
  • Cuts and wounds with controlled bleeding
When Should I Go to ER?

Many people face this question on a daily basis. As a general rule of thumb, individuals who fear loss of life, limb, or vision should promptly call 911 or go to the nearest ER. It’s also important to seek emergency care if you or someone around you experiences any of the following:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Sudden dizziness or confusion
  • Sudden changes in vision
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Persistent or severe chest pain
  • A wound with uncontrolled bleeding
  • An injury with a visible deformity, such as exposed bone or muscle
  • A near-drowning incident, car accident, or traumatic injury, such as a gunshot wound
  • A fever higher than 104 degrees Fahrenheit (102.2 degrees for young children)
When Should I Go To Urgent Care

In non-life-threatening scenarios, visiting an urgent care clinic is a more sensible, convenient, and affordable choice. Urgent care clinics specialize in providing walk-in treatment for many common health concerns, such as:

  • Nasal congestion and runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • Cough
  • Ear pain
  • Painful or burning urination
  • Sinus pain and pressure
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Mild burns and rashes
  • Heartburn
  • Sprains and strains
Is Urgent Care Cheaper Than the Primary Care Doctor’s Office?

So, you’ve woken up with a nasty cold and aren’t sure where to seek care. Your main options are the local urgent care clinic and your primary care doctor’s office, but which choice is more affordable?

Despite urgent care’s reputation for being more expensive than primary care, the costs of these services are usually quite similar, especially for individuals with insurance. Costs will vary by provider, though, so you may want to check what urgent care clinics and primary care centers accept your insurance before your visit.

Affordable Urgent Care From Board-Certified Doctors

Lifeline Urgent Care in Houston, Texas, is pleased to provide affordable urgent care services to adults and children with non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Our patients are seen by board-certified family medicine, infectious disease, and internal medicine doctors who emphasize compassionate and personalized service. The unique expertise of our practitioners also allows us to provide many primary care services, making us a one-stop shop for routine medical care.

How Long Does It Take to Get Rapid PCR Test Results?

Families in Houston, Texas, can rely on Lifeline Urgent Care for a full spectrum of COVID-19 testing services, including rapid PCR tests. Our fully equipped and physician-led immediate care center features a convenient drive-thru and does not require appointments or referrals. And, our rapid PCR tests deliver same- or next-day results, so you can quickly find the answers you need to your health questions and take the appropriate next steps.

How Long Does It Take to Get Rapid PCR Test Results?

The COVID-19 crisis is far from being a thing of the past, but there’s a growing sense of optimism as millions of Americans receive vaccines and travel restrictions loosen. If you’re planning a long-awaited getaway, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 before you embark on your trip.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommends unvaccinated people to receive a COVID-19 test one to three days before traveling domestically or internationally. Travelers who get a positive test result should stay home. Although this testing recommendation doesn’t apply to fully vaccinated individuals, some states may have special quarantine or testing requirements in place. Check the regulations in your travel destination here.

What to Expect from a Rapid PCR COVID Test

Here at Lifeline Urgent Care, we’re committed to offering our patients the very best of everything—from a comfortable reception area to top-notch medical treatment and everything in between. That’s why we provide rapid PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests for COVID-19. The “gold standard” of coronavirus screening, PCR testing can detect the genetic material of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus responsible for the respiratory disease known as COVID-19.

What Does a Rapid PCR Test Involve?

​A rapid PCR test at Lifeline Urgent Care involves a brief nasal swab. This simple test should not hurt, although it may be slightly uncomfortable for a few seconds. The collected sample is promptly evaluated in our onsite clinical lab and results are provided on the same or following day. This way, you can quickly take the appropriate steps to protect your health and the well-being of those around you.

Maybe you’re not sure if you need a COVID-19 test. If this is the case, Lifeline Urgent Care has you covered! We offer convenient telemedicine services that will allow you to consult with our professionals and find answers to your health questions from the comfort and safety of home.

What about testing for COVID-19 variants?

Lifeline Urgent Care in Houston, Texas, is a trusted source of COVID-19 testing, including screening for new COVID-19 variants. Now more than ever, it’s important to stay vigilant and quickly seek testing if you may have been exposed to the virus or are experiencing possible coronavirus symptoms. We make it simple to receive the testing you need, with:

  • Convenient drive-through testing
  • No required physician referral
  • No required appointment
  • Most health insurances accepted and affordable self-pay rates​

Just stop by our fully equipped urgent care center when you need a COVID-19 test, and we’ll be happy to assist you. Lifeline Urgent Care is open every day during extended hours, so you won’t need to rearrange your entire schedule to receive the testing you need. Not sure if you need a COVID-19 test? No worries—consider using our convenient telemedicine services to consult with one of our clinicians from the safety of home.