SITKA — On January 5, 2018, Sitka Medical Center (SMC) opens Sitka’s first walk-in express care clinic. The Sitka Medical Center Express Care Clinic will fill the gap between visiting one’s primary care provider and an unnecessary trip to the emergency room with clinic hours on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays until 6:00 pm.
The Sitka Medical Center (SMC) Express Care Clinic doors are open to everyone in the community whether or not they are a patient at Sitka Medical Center and most health care plans including; Tricare, Medicare, Denali Kid Care, and Medicaid, are accepted. The clinic also has a sliding fee scale payment option for eligible patients without insurance. Eligibility depends on income and family size, and patients may apply at the Express Care Clinic.
Staffed with a full-time medical provider, SMC Express Care Clinic patients can expect fast, effective medical treatment for common illnesses such as strep throat, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, ear infections, allergies, STD testing, minor injuries like small cuts and sprains, as well as school physicals and DOT/CDL examinations.
“We are thrilled to bring the same patient-centered medical care to the community at our Express Care Clinic as we offer in our primary care facility,” said SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium President & CEO, Charles Clement. “While express clinics are not new, having one available is new to Sitka and part of the medical care picture that has been missing here. We are proud to be part of the transformation of healthcare delivery in Sitka and look forward to providing outstanding medical care combined with convenience, and affordability.”
Express care offers convenience for patients when their provider’s schedule is full, as there is no need to schedule an appointment. Wait times are short, and in many cases, patients can be seen immediately. Sitkans can now receive quick medical attention when it fits into their schedule without unnecessary emergency room visits or having to wait for an available appointment.
The Sitka Medical Center Express Care Clinic is located at 814 Halibut Point Road and will be open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, every Friday through Monday. Additional information about the SMC Express Care Clinic can be found online at sitkaexpress.com.