Why Urgent Care Powered by AI Might be the Future of Primary Care 

Urgent care is having a moment. The sector is growing rapidly, and the reasons go beyond convenience. A recent Forbes feature highlights that urgent care visits typically cost slightly more than traditional primary care visits, yet they are capturing significant market share. This trend signals a fundamental shift in how patients access everyday care, driven by technology, patient expectations, and changing demographics. 

Convenience And Access Are Driving Growth 

Patients increasingly prioritize speed, convenience, and accessibility over cost. According to Dr. Andrea Giamalva, Chief Medical Officer at Experity, between 40% and 80% of patients visiting urgent care clinics do not have a primary care provider listed in their records. Among Gen Z, nearly 40% have no traditional primary care relationship, compared with roughly 30% of millennials, 20% of Gen X, and 7–10% of baby boomers. 

Urgent care clinics excel in the metrics patients care about most: same-day appointments, modest wait times (often under 45 minutes), and convenient locations. These clinics also reduce unnecessary emergency department visits, where costs can be five to twenty times higher. For patients with high-deductible plans, this represents a tangible financial benefit, while payers also have incentives to steer non-emergency cases toward urgent care. 

AI And Health IT Are Transforming Clinical Workflows 

Location alone no longer defines competitive advantage in urgent care. Modern technology is enabling a higher-quality, more efficient patient experience. Experity’s AI Scribe documents visits automatically, allowing providers to maintain eye contact and focus on care rather than documentation. The Care Agent platform supports follow-up communication, lab result delivery, and discharge instructions without requiring patients to navigate complex portals. 

These innovations reduce administrative burden, improve patient satisfaction, and transform urgent care from a convenience option into a reliable primary care alternative for routine needs. 

Addressing Primary Care Gaps 

Healthcare faces a projected shortage of 20,000 to 40,000, and potentially up to 80,000, primary care physicians by 2037. This gap creates an opportunity for urgent care to absorb lower-complexity cases, freeing traditional primary care offices to focus on patients requiring complex, coordinated care. For many younger adults, urgent care has already become the default entry point for medical care, including follow-ups and medication management. 

Implications For Healthcare And Beyond 

Urgent care demonstrates that disruption does not always come from lower cost. By delivering superior access, convenience, and experience, clinics are reshaping expectations for everyday healthcare. Technology-enabled care allows urgent care to handle lower-complexity needs efficiently while maintaining quality, helping the system manage physician shortages and rising patient demand. 

Conclusion 

The future of primary care may not be tied to a single model or location. Instead, it will rely on flexible access points supported by AI and health IT, providing efficient, patient-centered care. Experity’s platform illustrates how technology can transform urgent care into a sustainable, high-quality alternative, bridging gaps in the healthcare system and redefining how patients experience care. 

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