In a drive to meet consumer demands for affordability and quick and convenient access, Banner Health has announced the purchase of Urgent Care Extra’s 32 facilities in Arizona. These urgent care centers will become part of Banner on Oct. 1, 2016. New signs will re-brand these centers as Banner Urgent Care.
By the end of 2017, it is anticipated that there will be as many as 50 Banner Urgent Care centers in Arizona.
Urgent care services that assist those with unexpected, non-life threatening situations have emerged as an important health care option for millions of people seeking care that is more rapid than care delivered in often busy emergency centers. Urgent care services are rated very high for customer satisfaction. Additionally, urgent care patients are better served in these care environments than emergency centers that are designed to care for sicker patients.
“We are very excited to extend the Banner brand to these numerous locations,” said Becky Kuhn, Executive Vice President/Community Delivery for Banner Health. “We know that urgent care is valued for convenience, quality and affordability for routine care,” she continued. “And now, consumers at these urgent care centers can also count on the comprehensive services and support of Banner Health should they require a higher level of care.”
According to the American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine, there are approximately 9,300 walk-in, stand-alone urgent care centers in the United States. Additionally, it is estimated that between 50 and 100 new clinics open every year. While open for care during business hours, urgent care centers are especially convenient to consumers after-hours and on weekends. Banner Urgent Care locations will be open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
More than 400 Urgent Care Extra employees will join Banner on Oct. 1. Banner is Arizona’s largest private employer with more than 40,000 employees in the state.
“It’s clear why growing numbers of consumers use urgent care centers for routine care and for care during hours when most doctors’ offices are closed,” Kuhn said. “Banner is working hard to be where consumers want us to be, and when they want us to be there.”
Banner will soon promote the availability of another consumer-friendly health care option, Banner Doctor On Demand. Via desktop, tablet or smartphone, this service provides access to doctors for routine health matters. Within minutes, patients are able to see and talk to board-certified doctors to resolve these common health issues. In 2017, Banner also anticipates opening clinics in retail settings.
Headquartered in Phoenix, Banner Health is one of the largest, nonprofit health care systems in the country. The system manages 29 acute-care hospitals, the Banner Health Network and Banner Medical Group, long-term care centers, outpatient surgery centers and an array of other services including family clinics, home care and hospice services, and a nursing registry. Banner Health is in seven states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming.
