How to Start an Urgent Care Center: Costs, Steps, and How RMB Can Help You Succeed
Urgent care centers are a growing necessity in today’s fast-paced healthcare environment. With increasing demand for affordable, accessible, and efficient healthcare, starting an urgent care facility can be a rewarding business venture—both financially and in terms of community impact.
But how do you start an urgent care clinic? What are the startup costs? And more importantly, how can you ensure steady cash flow and timely reimbursements once you open your doors?
In this guide, we’ll break down:
The key steps to launching an urgent care center
A detailed cost breakdown
Regulatory and operational considerations
How Right Medical Billing LLC can support your urgent care’s success from day one
Step-by-Step Guide to Starting an Urgent Care Center
1. Conduct Market Research
Start by analyzing the local healthcare landscape. Evaluate:
Population demographics
Proximity to hospitals or other urgent care clinics
Community needs (e.g., high pediatric population, underserved areas)
A market analysis will help determine whether your location can sustain a new urgent care and what services to prioritize.
2. Create a Business Plan
A solid business plan should include:
Business structure (LLC, corporation, partnership)
Target patient population
Service offerings (labs, X-rays, occupational health, pediatric care)
Staffing model
Financial projections
Marketing strategies
This document is vital for securing funding and setting a roadmap for growth.
3. Choose a Location and Facility
Urgent care centers need accessible, visible, and high-traffic locations. Choose a site with ample parking and room for expansion.
You can either:
Lease a commercial space and renovate it
Build from the ground up (higher cost but fully customizable)
4. Obtain Licenses and Permits
Requirements vary by state, but generally include:
State healthcare facility licenses
Business license
DEA registration (for controlled substances)
CLIA certification (if offering lab testing)
5. Hire Qualified Staff
Typical staffing includes:
Physicians or mid-level providers (NPs, PAs)
Nurses or medical assistants
Radiologic technologists (if offering X-rays)
Front office and billing personnel
You must also consider credentialing your providers with insurance networks, which can take 60–120 days.
6. Purchase Equipment and Set Up Your Facility
Common equipment includes:
Exam tables, EKG machines, otoscopes, autoclaves
Digital X-ray machines
Lab testing kits and supplies
EMR system and computers
7. Marketing and Community Outreach
Before you open, launch a local marketing campaign:
Build a website optimized for local search
Use social media to promote your launch
Partner with local businesses for occupational health contracts
How Much Does It Cost to Start an Urgent Care?
Startup costs for an urgent care facility can vary widely depending on location, services offered, and the size of the facility. However, here’s a comprehensive breakdown to help you understand the financial requirements.
Urgent Care Startup Cost Breakdown
| Expense Category | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Facility buildout/renovation | $200,000 – $500,000 |
| Medical equipment & supplies | $150,000 – $250,000 |
| Technology (EMR, billing system) | $30,000 – $100,000 |
| Licensing, legal, credentialing | $20,000 – $50,000 |
| Marketing and branding | $10,000 – $50,000 |
| Staffing (first 3 months) | $150,000 – $300,000 |
| Working capital reserve | $100,000 – $250,000 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $660,000 – $1.5 million |
Facility Equipment Cost Breakdown
Here’s a closer look at what makes up the $150,000–$250,000 range for medical equipment and supplies:
| Equipment/Category | Estimated Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Tables (4–6) | $10,000 – $20,000 | Adjustable hydraulic exam tables for multiple patient rooms |
| Vital Signs Monitors | $5,000 – $10,000 | Includes BP cuffs, pulse oximeters, thermometers |
| EKG Machines (1–2) | $3,000 – $6,000 | Essential for evaluating chest pain and cardiac concerns |
| Defibrillator/AED | $1,500 – $3,000 | For emergency cardiac events |
| X-Ray Machine & Digital Processor | $50,000 – $100,000 | Portable or in-room digital X-ray equipment |
| Autoclave/Sterilizer | $2,000 – $5,000 | For sterilizing instruments |
| Point-of-Care Lab Equipment | $20,000 – $40,000 | Includes CLIA-waived devices for strep, flu, COVID, urinalysis |
| Crash Cart and Emergency Supplies | $3,000 – $6,000 | Stocked with emergency medications and tools |
| Refrigerators (medication/vaccine storage) | $2,000 – $5,000 | Medical-grade, temperature-monitored |
| Basic Instruments & Tools | $5,000 – $10,000 | Otoscopes, ophthalmoscopes, tongue depressors, etc. |
| IT Infrastructure (computers, printers) | $10,000 – $20,000 | For EMR access, front desk, diagnostics |
| Furniture (waiting room, admin, break room) | $10,000 – $20,000 | Seating, desks, storage, etc. |
| Consumables & PPE (initial stock) | $5,000 – $10,000 | Gloves, gowns, masks, syringes, bandages, cleaning supplies |
Total Equipment Investment Estimate: $150,000 – $250,000
How Right Medical Billing LLC Supports Urgent Care Success
Once your urgent care clinic is operational, revenue cycle management becomes the cornerstone of sustainability. This is where Right Medical Billing LLC steps in.
✔️ Expert Credentialing Support
Getting credentialed with Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payers is time-consuming. Right Medical Billing streamlines the process so your providers are approved faster—meaning you can start billing sooner.
✔️ Comprehensive Revenue Cycle Management
From claim submission to payment posting, Right Medical Billing ensures clean claims, reduced denials, and timely reimbursements.
Key features include:
Real-time eligibility verification
Accurate coding for urgent care visits (CPT/ICD-10)
Denial management and appeals
Transparent reporting and analytics
✔️ Faster Payments, Improved Cash Flow
Urgent cares can’t afford to wait months for payments. With Right Medical Billing’s proactive AR follow-up, most claims are reimbursed within 15–30 days. Their efficient billing practices keep your revenue flowing and your clinic operational.
✔️ Compliance and Audit Support
Urgent care billing is complex—especially with overlapping services like labs, occupational medicine, and telehealth. Right Medical Billing ensures documentation compliance and provides audit support when needed.
✔️ Scalable as You Grow
Whether you’re opening one location or planning a multi-site expansion, Right Medical Billing offers scalable solutions to match your growth without missing a beat.
Why Right Medical Billing LLC Is a Smart Partner for Urgent Care Owners
Once your urgent care is set up, every piece of your investment—from X-ray machines to your front-desk software—depends on your ability to get paid efficiently.
That’s where Right Medical Billing LLC comes in. We help you turn patient visits into timely payments, reduce billing errors, and avoid reimbursement delays that could hurt your cash flow.
