One in three visits to the emergency room is for a non-emergency situation. Many of these people could have instead used an urgent care center. The average waiting time at an urgent care center is less than 30 minutes, compared to up to four hours at local emergency departments.

Urgent care centers are staffed by qualified physicians and nurses. Most centers are open on evenings, weekends and holidays, when your doctor's office may be closed.

Urgent care may be recommended for simple cuts, fractures, burns and strains, as well as for illnesses, including colds, flus and respiratory infections. 

There are a few things you can do to prepare in case of an emergency: 

• Know your options
  Find out which urgent care centers in your area are covered by your insurance and write down the address and phone number of the covered location nearest you.
   

• Call ahead
  The physicians and nurses on staff may be able to help you over the phone and save you a trip. If you are a St. John's Health Plans member and are unsure whether to go to the ER or to an urgent care center or have a health question, St. John’s Nurse on Call can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 820-8888 or 1-800-909-TEAM. The nurses evaluate symptoms and recommend the best action to take – whether it is going to the ER, to an urgent care center or self-care.
   

• If in doubt, call 911
  If you or a loved one have a life- or limb- threatening ailment, always call 911. If you are unsure of what level of care you need, please call your primary care physician.

Urgent Care Clinics

South Springfield

St. John's Urgent Care - Smith-Glynn-Callaway
3231 S. National, Springfield
417-888-5666

St. John's Pediatric Urgent Care - Smith-Glynn-Callaway
3231 S. National, Springfield
417-820-5437

Nixa

St. John's Urgent Care - Nixa
940 W. Mount Vernon, Nixa 65714
417-724-5280

North Springfield

St. John's Urgent Care - West Kearney
2120 W. Kearney, Springfield
417-869-6191

Lawrence County

St. John's Urgent Care - Monett
315 Cleveland, Monett
417-235-0196

Branson

St. John's Urgent Care - Branson
1065 Hwy 248, Branson
417-337-5000

Lebanon

St. John's Urgent Care - Lebanon
(located in Lebanon Women's Center)
120 Hospital Drive, Suite 250, Lebanon
417-533-6717

Rolla

St. John's Clinic - Rolla Doctor After-Hours
1100 W. 10th, Rolla
573-341-3043