Hours And Availability Right Now
Most urgent care clinics operate 8 AM–8 PM seven days a week, but hours vary by location and day. “After hours” typically refers to evenings after 5 PM, weekends, and holidays when primary care offices are closed. Traditional walk-in urgent care fills this gap with extended hours, but you still wait in a waiting room—often 30 to 90 minutes—for a brief visit.
MDCareNow operates 7 AM-11 PM PST every day, including weekends and holidays. No appointment needed. Start a visit anytime during these hours.
- Morning care: Available from 7 AM for early risers
- Evening access: Open until 11 PM for after-work or late-night symptoms
- Weekend and holiday coverage: No closures on Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays
Requests submitted overnight are reviewed first thing the next morning, with priority given to earlier requests. You’ll receive a physician response as soon as our team is back online at 7 AM.
Get Care In Under 60 Minutes Online
Most patients receive a physician response in under 60 minutes during operating hours. This is asynchronous telehealth—you submit symptoms through a structured medical intake, a board-certified physician reviews your case and clinical history, then replies with a diagnosis and treatment plan. No waiting on hold or in a waiting room. You don’t schedule an appointment or wait for a video call.
Board-certified California physicians review visits in under 60 minutes on average during 7 AM-11 PM PST. This includes your intake, any follow-up questions based on clinical assessment, and your personalized care plan. After your initial evaluation, you can message your physician for 48 hours with follow-up questions, new symptoms, or medication concerns at no extra charge.
Conditions We Treat After Hours
After-hours urgent care treats common, non-emergency conditions that need same-day or next-day medical attention but don’t require an emergency room. Board-certified physicians evaluate and treat:
Allergies and sinus infections: Seasonal allergies, sinus pressure, post-nasal drip, and acute or chronic sinusitis are evaluated based on symptom duration, severity, and clinical presentation. Treatment plans may include antibiotics when bacterial infection is suspected, nasal corticosteroids, or antihistamines.
Cough, cold, and flu: Upper respiratory infections, persistent cough (lasting more than 3 days), sore throat, and influenza-like illness can be assessed remotely. Physicians evaluate for warning signs of pneumonia, strep throat, or other complications requiring in-person evaluation.
Urinary tract infections: UTIs cause urgent, painful urinary symptoms including frequency, burning, and pelvic discomfort. Diagnosis is based on symptom pattern, medical history, and risk factors. Antibiotics are prescribed when clinically appropriate based on symptom severity and patient history.
Rashes, pink eye, and skin issues: Dermatologic conditions including contact dermatitis, urticaria, eczema flares, suspected bacterial or viral conjunctivitis, cellulitis, and fungal infections can be assessed with photo uploads. Physicians provide differential diagnosis and treatment, including topical or oral medications.
Migraine and other pain: Migraines, tension-type headaches, and non-traumatic musculoskeletal pain are evaluated online. Physicians review symptom characteristics, frequency, associated symptoms, and red flags (such as sudden severe headache, neurological symptoms, or fever) to determine if online treatment is safe and appropriate.
Important clinical limitations: We do not treat life-threatening emergencies, prescribe controlled substances (including opioids, benzodiazepines, or stimulants), or manage conditions requiring physical examination, diagnostic imaging, or laboratory testing that cannot be arranged remotely. Visit our main page to learn more about our clinical scope of practice.
How Our Three-Step Visit Works
MDCareNow uses asynchronous telehealth—you submit your symptoms through a HIPAA-compliant platform, a licensed physician reviews your medical information and clinical presentation, and you receive an evidence-based care plan.
- Complete Medical Intake: Answer physician-designed questions about your symptoms, onset, severity, medical history, current medications, allergies, and previous treatments. Upload photos when relevant—particularly helpful for skin conditions, eye issues, or visible injuries. The intake takes 5-10 minutes and captures the clinical information physicians need for accurate diagnosis.
- Physician Evaluation: A board-certified, California-licensed physician reviews your case using the same clinical decision-making process as an in-person visit. If additional information is needed for safe diagnosis and treatment, we follow up via secure messaging, phone, or video call—all included in your visit.
- Evidence-Based Care Plan: You receive a personalized treatment plan based on current clinical guidelines and your individual presentation. This includes diagnosis, recommended treatments, self-care instructions, warning signs to monitor, and when to seek in-person care if symptoms worsen. Prescriptions are sent electronically to your pharmacy when medically appropriate.
Transparent Pricing No Insurance Needed
Walk-in urgent care clinics typically charge $100-$200+ per visit, and final costs vary by insurance coverage, copays, and services rendered. MDCareNow operates on a transparent cash-pay model with upfront pricing—no insurance required, no surprise bills.
One flat rate covers your complete physician evaluation, evidence-based diagnosis, personalized treatment plan, same-day prescriptions when appropriate, and 48 hours of follow-up messaging with your treating physician. No copays, no claim denials, no billing surprises.
Prescriptions filled at your pharmacy and any recommended laboratory testing or imaging are separate costs paid directly to those facilities. Most generic antibiotics and common medications cost $10-$30 at major chain pharmacies.
Prescriptions And Clinical Treatment
Board-certified physicians prescribe FDA-approved medications when clinically appropriate and medically necessary. This includes antibiotics (for confirmed or clinically suspected bacterial infections), antivirals, bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, topical medications, oral antihistamines, and migraine treatments.
Prescriptions are sent electronically via secure e-prescribe systems directly to your preferred pharmacy. Most pharmacies fill within 1-2 hours during operating hours.
Prescribing policy: We do not prescribe controlled substances (DEA Schedule II-V), including opioid pain medications, benzodiazepines, stimulants, or medications with abuse potential. This policy aligns with telehealth best practices and California Medical Board guidelines for remote prescribing.
Some conditions require in-person diagnostic testing—bloodwork, urinalysis, rapid strep testing, or imaging—that cannot be performed remotely. When laboratory or imaging studies are needed for safe diagnosis, we provide clear guidance on what tests to request, where to obtain them (urgent care, lab facility, or emergency room), and how to share results with your physician for treatment decisions.
When To Seek Emergency Care
After-hours urgent care is for non-emergency medical conditions. The following symptoms require immediate emergency room evaluation—call 911 or go to the nearest ER without delay:
Cardiac and respiratory emergencies: Chest pain, pressure, or tightness; pain radiating to arm, jaw, or back; difficulty breathing or shortness of breath at rest; rapid heart rate with dizziness; blue lips or fingernails.
Neurological emergencies: Sudden severe headache (worst headache of your life); sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body; slurred speech; vision loss; confusion or altered mental status; loss of consciousness; suspected stroke symptoms.
Severe trauma and bleeding: Uncontrolled bleeding; deep cuts or wounds requiring stitches; traumatic injuries from falls, car accidents, or blunt force; head injuries with loss of consciousness; suspected broken bones; severe burns.
Acute abdominal emergencies: Severe abdominal pain (especially if sudden onset); rigid or distended abdomen; vomiting blood; black tarry stools; signs of appendicitis or other surgical emergencies.
Other emergencies: High fever with stiff neck or severe headache (possible meningitis); allergic reactions with throat swelling or difficulty breathing; suicidal or homicidal thoughts; severe dehydration with inability to keep fluids down.
Telehealth cannot replace emergency medical services. When in doubt about symptom severity, seek in-person emergency evaluation.
Employer And Workplace Care
MDCareNow provides occupational telehealth programs for employers and businesses, giving employees immediate physician access without clinic visits or time away from work. This reduces absenteeism, accelerates return-to-work decisions, and provides cost-effective alternative to in-person urgent care for non-emergency conditions.
Employees receive priority physician reviews during business hours. Care is available 7 AM–11 PM PST daily, accommodating all shifts including overnight and weekend workers.
We provide physician-signed work excuse notes, return-to-duty medical clearances, and occupational health documentation when clinically appropriate based on medical evaluation. For services requiring in-person assessment—such as DOT physical examinations, drug screening, or workers’ compensation injury evaluations—we provide referrals and clinical guidance.
For questions about employer programs, visit our frequently asked questions page or contact our team directly.
Physician Credentials And Licensing
All medical care at MDCareNow is provided exclusively by board-certified physicians licensed by the Medical Board of California. Our physicians hold active, unrestricted California medical licenses and maintain board certification in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, or Emergency Medicine.
Every physician completes ongoing continuing medical education (CME) to maintain board certification and stay current with clinical guidelines, treatment protocols, and evidence-based medicine. We do not use physician assistants, nurse practitioners, or automated diagnostic tools for medical decision-making.
Clinical care follows standard-of-care guidelines from professional medical organizations including the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American College of Physicians (ACP), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Medical Disclaimer
MDCareNow provides telehealth medical services to adults (ages 18 and older) in California. This service does not replace your primary care physician or ongoing medical relationships. We provide episodic care for acute conditions and do not manage chronic disease or provide comprehensive primary care.
Telehealth has limitations. Some conditions require physical examination, diagnostic testing, or imaging that cannot be performed remotely. When in-person evaluation is medically necessary, we provide clear guidance and appropriate referrals.
Always seek emergency care for life-threatening symptoms. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
This service is not intended for pediatric patients, mental health crises, or substance abuse treatment. Patients requiring these services should contact appropriate specialized providers.
Get Physician-Led Care Now
Board-certified California physicians. Evidence-based diagnosis. Same-day treatment plans. MDCareNow delivers physician-level medical care that fits your schedule—no waiting rooms, no rushed 5-minute visits, no automated chatbots making clinical decisions. Start your visit now at Get Care Now.
Available 7 AM-11 PM PST daily. Most patients receive a physician’s response in under 60 minutes.