U.S. Urgent Care Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application (Acute Respiratory Infection, Injuries, Joint/Soft Tissue Issues), By Ownership, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Industry Insights

The U.S. urgent care market size was estimated at USD 19.0 billion in 2017 and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 6.2% over the forecast period. Shifting preference from primary care medical centers to urgent care (UC) centers is a trend being observed in the country over the recent past. This can be attributed to shorter wait times, transparency, and quality of healthcare provided by these centers. In addition, easy access to these centers is one of the contributing factors driving market growth.

Technological advancements and adoption of management software in urgent care centers are anticipated to boost market growth. UC centers being smaller than a typical hospital, are more flexible and quicker in adopting newer technologies. They utilize electronic portals for maintenance of records, visits, current treatments, and family medical history. According to the Urgent Care Association of America (UCAOA), in 2017, 9.0% of all UC centers in the country indicated the use of telemedicine services.

The UC centers aim to provide quality healthcare. Identifying the immense potential this segment holds in the healthcare industry, a number of private players, hospitals, and physicians have been seeking a share in this growing trend. Hence, there has been an increase in the number of walk-in centers.

Furthermore, to mark a presence in this growing industry, owners have been investing in the expansion of locations by opening new centers across the country. To attract more patients, they have been working to provide maximum medical services with consultation, using the latest diagnostic tools, electronic media, and new technologies. For instance, in October 2018, Concentra launched virtual care platforms Telemedicine and Telerehab to broaden its geographical distribution to 21 states in U.S., including Wisconsin and Connecticut.

Application Insights

Based on application, the market is segmented into acute respiratory infection, general symptoms, injuries, joint/soft tissue issues, digestive system issues, skin infections, urinary tract infections, ear infections, sprains, strains and fracture, influenza pneumonia, diseases of the respiratory tract, and others.

Acute respiratory infection dominated the U.S. urgent care market in 2017 and is expected to maintain its dominance over the forecast period. Increasing environmental pollution such as indoor air pollution from burning fuels, air pollution from traffic, tobacco smoke, and industrial sources is anticipated to contribute to the alarming rise in prevalence of respiratory conditions. This segment is also expected to register the fastest growth over the forecast period, followed by urinary tract infections.

Ownership Insights

Based on ownership, the U.S. market has been segmented into hospitals and joint ventures, corporations, physicians, and others. The hospital-owned urgent care and JV segment dominated the market in 2017 and this trend is likely to continue over the course of the forecast period.

The growth of hospital-owned urgent care centers is primarily driven by patient compliance. According to the Urgent Care Association of America, as of 2017, an estimated 16.0% of total urgent care centers were owned by hospitals and about 15.0% were opened in joint ventures with hospitals. The organization also states that UC centers will be beneficial in reducing overcrowding of emergency departments across hospitals, allowing ER doctors to focus on critical cases.

U.S. Urgent Care Market Share Insights

Key market contributors include Concentra, Inc.; Urgent Care MSO, LLC; American Family Care; and U.S. HealthWorks Medical Group. In July 2017, American Family Care received an investment of USD 1 billion from American Development Partners to expand their franchise centers to 300 locations. The company has more than 180 clinics in U.S. Therefore, various investments, partnerships, collaborations, mergers and acquisitions are expected to strengthen the presence of market players.

In June 2018, MedSpring partnered with Quadrant Biosciences Inc.to offer a new brain health assessment in Texas and Maryland. The ClearEdge brain health toolkit is being provided in Baltimore and Dallas-Ft Worth as well. This partnership is anticipated to boost the company’s growth in the field of urgent care services by enabling it to provide highest quality of services and patient recovery as ClearEdge helps in monitoring and tracking changes in cognitive functions, balance, and patient symptoms over time.

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at a country level and provides an analysis of latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the U.S. urgent care market report on the basis of application and ownership:

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Acute respiratory infection

  • General Symptoms

  • Injuries

  • Joint/Soft Tissue Issues

  • Digestive System Issues

  • Skin Infections

  • Urinary Tract Infections

  • Ear Infections

  • Sprains, Strains, and Fracture

  • Influenza Pneumonia

  • Disease of Respiratory Tract

  • Others

• Ownership Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Hospital

  • Corporation

  • Physicians

  • Others