Doctor Office Visit: After Hours

Normal doctor office hours are 8:00am-5:00pm; getting care at other times is an after-hours visit.   Some offices have evening or weekend hours for people who need minor care quickly.  The office may have “walk-in” care in which there are no appointments. 

After-hours care is for health problems that happen or worsen suddenly like a high fever, rash, infections, sore throats, fractures, or stitching cuts.

It’s best to check and see if your doctor or one nearby offers after-hours care.  Most after-hours care is available from urgent care clinics rather than doctor offices. Urgent care centers, which usually are open all day and into the evening, may be most convenient.  Getting care at a hospital emergency room is much more expensive than any of these after-hours care options. 

These are 2023 prices.  Use the link below to see if you can get a current, personalized cost estimate from your health insurer.