Sarasota Memorial Urgent Care Frequently Asked Questions
Sarasota Memorial is dedicated to providing our community with the best healthcare possible, in a kind and caring environment, at times and locations convenient to the patient.
Below are answers to some of the most common questions we hear. Don’t see an answer to your question? Please call 941-917-7777.
General Questions
How do I access my records?
To access your records specifically, you can visit the patient portal by following this link: SMH Patient Portal. Once you reach the portal’s website, you may need to log in using your unique credentials provided by your healthcare provider. This login process ensures that only authorized individuals can access sensitive medical information.
What should I bring?
Patients should bring a form of government-issued identification; insurance card (most insurances accepted, but insurance is not required); and method of payment. We also recommend printing out and completing the required patient forms ahead of time, if possible, to save time at the urgent care center.
Do you treat infants, toddlers or children?
Yes. Board-certified physicians at Sarasota Memorial’s Urgent Care Centers (UCCs) care for patients older than 3 months. Patients younger than 3 months old should be seen by their pediatricians, or in the event of an emergency, be taken to the nearest emergency room.
How much does an urgent-care visit cost?
The visit cost will depend on the complexity of the medical problem and the patient’s insurance coverage. Urgent care centers are a less costly alternative to ERs. Sarasota Memorial’s UCCs accept most major health insurance plans and also offer discounted, self-pay prices below what you’d pay for care at an ER. If you have insurance, all payments, including your co-pay, deductible or coinsurance will be due. While we do our best to estimate your out-of-pocket expense prior to being seen by the doctor, there may be additional amounts owed (most commonly urine culture growths sent to our lab for further testing). Urgent care services are not a covered benefit under Medicaid.
How does urgent care compare to emergency room care?
If you are experiencing a life-threatening injury or illness, call 911 immediately or head straight to the emergency room. For minor to moderate medical events, including stitches and broken bones, UCCs provide shorter wait times, lower costs and more personalized care than an ER. Sarasota Memorial’s UCCs also have on-site imaging (X-ray) and lab testing. (Not sure whether you should go to an ER or a UCC, click here to “Know When To Go.”)
Which health insurance plans do you accept?
While Sarasota Memorial’s Urgent Care Centers accept most major insurances, we recommend contacting your insurance company before seeking service to understand your benefits and coverage. (Florida Medicaid does not cover urgent care visits.) Be sure to inform the insurance representative that a Sarasota Memorial Urgent Care Center visit will be billed as a visit to a “hospital-based urgent care center.” Note that some insurances apply your annual deductible for urgent care/outpatient services.
Will you treat patients without insurance; with insurance that you do not accept; or who have Medicaid?
Yes. Sarasota Memorial UCCs offer a discounted, same-day self-pay rate that’s less expensive than an ER visit and may be more cost-effective for some insured patients. Insured patients who elect to pay the discounted same-day, prompt-pay rate at time of service may not seek reimbursement of any kind at a later date or request that the UCC bill an insurer.
Do you offer annual physicals?
Sarasota Memorial UCCs offer $20 student physicals and student-athlete / sports physicals for ages 18 and under. However, our UCCs do not offer annual well visits for children, which should be handled by a pediatrician. Click here for our full list of services.
What vaccinations do you offer?
Sarasota Memorial UCCs offer flu shots for adults and for children age 6 months and older. Other immunizations we offer include tetanus and diphtheria (Td) and the tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine (Tdap).
Save My Spot Questions
What is the Save My Spot online check-in tool?
Save My Spot is a convenient, new online scheduling system designed to decrease the time patients spend in an urgent care waiting room. It is available for all six Sarasota Memorial Urgent Care Center locations and is free to use.
How does Save My Spot check-in work?
Select the available time and urgent care location that’s best for you. Then, arrive at your chosen time and location. Save My Spot check-in allows you to do most of your waiting from the comforts of your own home.
When should I arrive for my confirmed time?
Please arrive at your confirmed time and go directly to the urgent care registration desk, without taking a number.
Do I have to use Save My Spot to schedule a UCC visit?
No. Walk-ins are always welcome.
Is my reservation time guaranteed?
We will do our best to see you at your scheduled time, but because patients are prioritized based on medical need, Save My Spot reservation times are not guaranteed.
What if I make a reservation, and then start feeling a lot worse?
If you are feeling worse, do NOT wait for your reservation. If you feel that your condition is life threatening, go to the nearest ER or call 911 right away.
I made a reservation, but I can’t get there on time. Can I change my reservation?
Yes. Simply open the Save My Spot webpage or app and make a new reservation. Save My Spot will automatically cancel your old one.
What happens if I’m late?
There is a 15-minute grace period. If you are later than 15 minutes, you may lose your spot in line.
How can I cancel a Save My Spot reservation?
Please call the facility where you made your reservation, and tell them that you are canceling your online check-in reservation.
Can I make one reservation for multiple people?
No. We can only see one patient per time slot. If more than one person needs to be seen, please reserve additional slots. Additional times, if available, will be displayed after clicking/tapping “Check in Now” for the location you selected on the reservation page.
