Here's my anecdote: I twisted my ankle while running a 5K and thought I broke something. I hobbled in, signed some paperwork, and waited a few minutes because m

Here's my anecdote: I twisted my ankle while running a 5K and thought I broke something. I hobbled in, signed some paperwork, and waited a few minutes because my injury wasn't life-threatening. My leg was examined by a nurse practitioner and it was determined that it was most likely sprained. Told to rest, take Tylenol for pain, and return if things got worse and they would do an x-ray. My ankle healed and I was fine. Bill after insurance? $200, which isn't bad here. This is what an urgent care is for in the US: non-life threatening care that isn't an emergency but can't wait until your next visit with your primary care physician. If you think you're dying, go to the ER.