Urgent Care Center Market Size, Share, and Trends 2024 to 2033

Urgent Care Center Market Size and Growth

The global urgent care center market size was USD 25.99 billion in 2023, calculated at USD 27.37 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach around USD 43.64 billion by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 5.31% from 2024 to 2033. The rise in improving healthcare infrastructure can boost the urgent care center market.

Urgent Care Center Market Key Takeaways

• North America dominated the market with the largest revenue share of 40% in 2023.
• Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR in the market during the forecast period.
• By service, the acute illness treatment solutions segment has held a major revenue share of 29% in 2023.
• By service, the trauma/injury services segment is expected to grow at a notable rate during the forecast period.
• By ownership, the hospital-owned segment has contributed more than 33% of revenue share in 2023.

Market Overview

The urgent care center market refers to the medical institution that offers emergency care for injuries and diseases that are not life-threatening and is known as an urgent care center. The purpose of these facilities is to provide a compromise between emergency departments and general care physicians' offices. They usually accept walk-ins, so you may visit without making an appointment.

The urgent care center facilities are prepared to treat a wide variety of illnesses, including fevers, minor wounds like sprains and cuts, urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, and more. To aid with the prompt diagnosis and treatment of patients, they frequently have laboratory and X-ray machines on site. The longer hours that urgent care facilities offer often including evenings, weekends, and holidays when primary care clinics could be closed are one of its main advantages.

The urgent care center market is fragmented with multiple small-scale and large-scale players, such as St Joseph's Health Care London, NextCare Holdings, Inc., Select Medical Holdings, UnitedHealth Group, and HCA Healthcare.

Urgent Care Center Market Growth Factors

• The rising incidence of chronic disease can boost the urgent care center market.
• The growing number of sports injuries can increase the urgency of the care center market.

Urgent Care Center Market Scope

Urgent Care Center Market Dynamics

Drivers

Rising geriatric population

The rising geriatric population can boost the urgent care center market. People typically have more health problems as they become older and need to see a doctor more frequently. This covers acute and chronic diseases as well as age-related health issues. For these people, urgent care facilities can offer rapid and easy access to medical care.

Many elderly people may experience problems with their mobility or find it difficult to go to conventional healthcare facilities like hospitals or specialty clinics. Seniors who want urgent medical treatment but do not require emergency care may find urgent care facilities more convenient since they are conveniently placed in easily accessible places and have extended hours.

Superior urgent care for all ages patients

Superior urgent care for patients of all ages can grow the urgent care center market. The wider spectrum of patients can be drawn to urgent care facilities that provide top-notch care for individuals of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. These clinics are handy since families tend to favor healthcare facilities where all of their demands can be handled effectively. The convenience and accessibility of healthcare are highly valued by families that have elderly and/or youngsters in them. All-age urgent care facilities may offer a one-stop shop without the inconvenience of going to several doctors for minor ailments, accidents, immunizations, physicals, and other medical requirements.

Restraint

Lack of skilled professional

The lack of skilled professionals slows down the urgent care center market. The lack of qualified workers may have a knock-on effect on the urgent care center industry, affecting things like service availability, quality of care, etc., and eventually slowing down the industry’s expansions.

Opportunity

Rising demand for telehealthcare

The rising demand for tele-healthcare can boost the urgent care center market. Patients in remote areas who might not have easy access to physical urgent care centers can now receive urgent care center services due to telehealth. By simply removing the need for travel and reducing wait times, telehealth enables patients to receive urgent care center service from the comfort of their homes, which may encourage more people to take advantage of urgent care center services, which can be the opportunity to grow the urgent care center market.

• In March 2024, Children and young adults up to age 21 who need after-hours care for non-emergency illnesses or accidents can now access Virtual Urgent Care from Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). Through video meetings conducted on a computer, tablet, or smartphone, the service matches patients with CHLA physicians.

Service Insights

The acute illness treatment solutions segment dominated the urgent care center market in 2023. The purpose of urgent care is to treat medical conditions that need to be treated right away but are not serious enough to require an ER visit. This scope encompasses perfectly acute illnesses like infections, minor injuries, and sudden ailments. In comparison with traditional primary care offices, urgent care centers are more accessible because of their extended hours, which include evenings and weekends. Patients with acute illness who require immediate care but do not want to wait around for extended periods of time in emergency rooms are drawn to this convenience.

The trauma/injury services segment is expected to grow at a notable rate in the urgent care center market during the forecast period. Traumatic injuries are becoming more commonplace worldwide as a result of things like falls, traffic accidents, violent crimes, and natural disasters. Trauma care services must be improved and expanded in response to the rising number of injuries. The effectiveness and efficiency of trauma services are improved by technological innovations in medicine, which include better surgical methods, diagnostic tools, and trauma care equipment. The demand for these services is driven by the improved patient outcomes made possible by this advancement.

Ownership Insights

The hospital-owned segment dominated the urgent care center market in 2023 and is projected to sustain this dominance throughout the forecast period. The urgent care facilities owned by hospitals gain from being a part of bigger healthcare systems. Access to a variety of medical services and specialists, continuity of care, and easy patient referrals are all made possible by this integration. Because integrated care is so convenient, patients frequently choose these centers.

In general, hospitals have more financial resources than stand-alone urgent care facilities. Hospital-owned facilities can invest in cutting-edge technology, infrastructure, and medical equipment thanks to this financial support, which improves patient care and quality of life. The reputation for high-quality care and strong brand recognition are typical characteristics of established hospitals. In urgent care or complicated medical situations, patients are more likely to trust and select urgent care facilities affiliated with reputable hospitals.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the urgent care center market in 2023. Accessible and convenient care is now given priority in the U.S. healthcare system, in particular. By providing a middle ground for non-life-threatening conditions that require prompt attention, urgent care centers bridge a vital gap between primary care physicians and emergency rooms. Urgent care facilities frequently take a range of insurance plans, such as Medicaid and Medicare, and provide patients who choose to pay cash with upfront costs. A wide range of patients are drawn in by this flexibility.

Accessible healthcare services are in high demand in urban and suburban areas due to high population density. These densely populated areas are served by urgent care facilities that are positioned strategically. The expansion of urgent care facilities is facilitated by higher average income levels in North America, which make it possible for more people to pay for their own medical bills.

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR in the urgent care center market during the forecast period. The need for healthcare services is rising in the region due to its large and expanding population. The need for easily accessible healthcare facilities, such as urgent care centers, is increasing due to the rapid urbanization trend. In order to lessen the strain on traditional hospitals, many Asia Pacific nations are making significant investments in expanding their healthcare infrastructure, which includes opening urgent care facilities.

The population of nations like China and Japan is aging quickly, resulting in an increased demand for acute and chronic healthcare services. The need for urgent care services that can offer prompt intervention is being driven by the rising prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases.

Urgent Care Center Market Companies

• Dignity Health (U.S. HealthWorks, Inc.)
• Select Medical Holdings (Concentra, Inc.)
• UnitedHealth Group (MedExpress)
• NextCare Holdings, Inc
• St Joseph's Health Care London
• United Surgical Partners International (CareSpot)
• City Practice Group of New York
• HCA Healthcare (HCA Healthcare UK)
• AEA International Holdings Pte. Ltd.
• Access Clinical Partners (GoHealth Urgent Care)

Recent Developments

• In May 2024, Aster Stroke Unit and Aster Urgent Care 24x7 program launched, according to Aster Royal Al Raffah Hospital, a member of Aster DM Healthcare FZC, the top integrated healthcare provider in the GCC. With these new facilities, the hospital, which is located in Al Ghubra, Muscat, will be able to provide far better regional healthcare services.
• In March 2024, in response to the changing healthcare environment, Valparaiso Health Center added Pediatric Urgent Care Services, a ground-breaking addition to its menu of offerings. This important milestone highlights the health center's steadfast dedication to addressing the unique and urgent medical needs of children in the neighborhood.
• In November 2023, with the opening of its newest urgent care facility, IU Health will increase the number of people in Muncie and the surrounding towns who have access to care for minor illnesses and accidents. In addition to housing an IU Health Employer Solutions Clinic that will provide treatment to county, city, and school workers, the new urgent care center is housed in the same facility as the IU Health Imaging Center.
• In August 2023, VillageMD, a primary care platform owned by Walgreens, announced the grand opening of a “major imaging hub” on the east coast. The new 30,000-square-foot facility is located in Garden City, N.Y., providing ample parking and access to railroad and bus services. It offers the “first imaging department of its kind” on Long Island, delivering CT, ultrasound, X-ray, fluoroscopy, and ambient MRI.

Segment Covered in the Report

By Service

• Trauma/Injury Services
• Vaccination Services
• Acute Illness Treatment Solutions
• Diagnostic Services
• Other Services

By Ownership

• Corporate Owned
• Hospital Owned
• Physician Owned
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• Asia Pacific
• Europe
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa