Urgent Care and Health Centers: Department of Health

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Many types of illnesses and injuries do not require an emergency department visit. Going to an emergency department for an illness or injury that could be treated by your primary care provider or at an urgent/express clinic will likely result in both extended wait times and a higher cost to the patient. There are quicker and less expensive treatment options.

Visit the emergency department if you are experiencing: difficulty breathing-shortness of breath, pain/pressure in chest, flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with a fever or worse cough.

Call your primary care provider or visit an urgent care/express clinic for: back pain, sprains, minor cuts, colds, sore throat, low-grade fever (99 degrees F-100.8 degrees F), most cases of norovirus.

If someone is not sure if they need to go to the emergency department, they should contact their primary care provider. A primary care provider will be able to provide guidance about the next best step. (Most offices have physicians on-call after hours.)

Non-Emergent Treatment Options

Make an appointment or call your primary care doctor’s office for advice on where to seek care.

Make an appointment at one of Rhode Island’s Community Health Centers, which provide medical, dental, and behavioral health services to established patients.

List of Health Centers

Visit a Community Health Center Express Clinic. You don't have to be an established patient and all patients are served, regardless of insurance or ability to pay. These include:

Blackstone Valley Community Health Center's Express Health Care in Central Falls and Pawtucket;
Providence Community Health Center's Express Clinic;
Thundermist Health Centers Convenient Care in Wakefield, West Warwick, and Woonsocket;

Go to a CVS Minute Clinic;

Go to an urgent care center in Rhode Island. It's a good idea to call ahead to verify hours and location.

Find Urgent Care

RIDOH has made every effort to establish a comprehensive, user-friendly list to assist Rhode Islanders to identify appropriate alternatives to Emergency Departments for non-emergent medical issues. If you are a Community Health Center, Urgent Care, or Walk-in Care facility and believe your facility should be included in this list, please contact DOH.website@health.ri.gov.

Information for Rhode Islanders without Insurance

If you do not qualify for Medicaid or coverage through HealthSource RI, there are several places to go for health care. These places provide care regardless of a person’s immigration status, although they may ask about your status to help determine whether you may be eligible for coverage. Providers must keep this information confidential.

Community Health Centers: Call 401-274-1771 (rihca.org) to find a health center near you (for adults and children).
Rhode Island Free Clinic: Call for an eligibility appointment: 401-274-6374 (for adults only).
Clinica Esperanza-Hope Clinic: Call 401-347-9093 (for adults only).

If you need care at a hospital, ask about the hospital ‘charity care’ program. The hospital may cover all or part of your bill if you are unable to pay. The hospital must post its charity care eligibility rules and how to apply. Ask the business office of the hospital for an application. Charity care is available regardless of immigration status.

If you need to have emergency services at a hospital, and you are not eligible to enroll in Medicaid just because of your immigration status, you may be eligible to have Medicaid pay the hospital bills. The hospital helps you fill out the application.

Notice for Healthcare Professionals

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Non-Emergent Treatment Options

Information for Rhode Islanders without Insurance