When a patient visits an urgent care center, they rely on more than just immediate medical attention. They depend on a broad range of ancillary services—the critical support systems that enhance diagnosis, treatment, and overall care delivery. For urgent care centers, integrating ancillary care and in-office dispensing can streamline operations, improve patient satisfaction, and increase revenue.
But what are ancillary services, exactly? Learn more about ancillary care and how it can benefit acute care settings.
What Is Ancillary Care?
Ancillary care refers to supportive healthcare services that assist in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of patient conditions. These services supplement the work of physicians and nurses, offering comprehensive support that extends beyond primary care.
Examples of ancillary medical services include:
- Diagnostic imaging (e.g., X-rays, MRIs)
- Laboratory testing
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Audiology and cardiac monitoring
- Rehabilitation and chiropractic services
- Hospice and ventilator services
- Dialysis and genetic testing
Ancillary services typically fit into one of three categories:
- Diagnostic Services: Help determine the root cause of a patient’s symptoms (e.g., blood work, imaging).
- Therapeutic Services: Focus on recovery and wellness (e.g., physical therapy).
- Custodial Services: Offer daily support for patients with chronic conditions or disabilities.
Without access to ancillary care services, healthcare providers would not be able to accurately diagnose patients or offer appropriate treatment. These services enhance patient care, offer support, and address many aspects of wellness. Ancillary care also helps improve healthcare workflows, bringing faster answers to physicians and resulting in more efficient patient care.
What Is an Ancillary Provider?
You may be wondering, what is an ancillary provider and what does ancillary provider mean? An ancillary provider is a healthcare professional or service entity that delivers one or more of the supportive services listed above. This can include radiologists, physical therapists, lab technicians, and other experts who are not primary care physicians but play a vital role in patient outcomes.
In the context of a hospital, ancillary staff can reduce the burden on physicians and nurses by taking on specialized responsibilities, thereby improving workflow and patient care. These ancillary services in hospitals often extend to urgent care as well.
Importance of Ancillary Services in Urgent Care
In urgent care settings, time is critical. Having ancillary diagnostic services on-site enables providers to evaluate conditions quickly and initiate treatment without delays. For example, bloodwork or imaging that can be done in-house eliminates the need to send patients to external labs or imaging centers—saving time and improving outcomes.
Key benefits of offering ancillary services in urgent care include:
- Faster Diagnosis & Treatment – On-site lab and imaging results reduce wait times.
- Improved Patient Satisfaction – Patients value convenience and speed.
- Better Clinical Outcomes – Timely interventions lead to more effective care.
- Workflow Efficiency – Providers can make treatment decisions more quickly and coordinate care with less friction.
Even therapeutic services like physical therapy or chiropractic care can be valuable in urgent care settings, particularly for treating sports injuries or mobility-related conditions.
Benefits of Ancillary Care
Running a medical practice comes with significant costs—both expected and unexpected. Routine expenses like staff salaries, malpractice insurance, rent, medical equipment, and ongoing training are necessary to keep operations running smoothly. But unforeseen challenges, such as sudden repairs or emergencies, can create major financial strain.
Ancillary medical services provide practices with a valuable way to offset these costs. By adding services such as in-office medication dispensing, providers can establish reliable new revenue streams without increasing their patient load.
Increased Income Without More Patients
In-office dispensing allows you to generate additional revenue while maintaining the same patient volume. Instead of feeling pressure to expand your caseload, you can choose the patients you want to see and dedicate more time to each one. This patient-centered approach strengthens your reputation and builds trust within the community.
Modern dispensing software makes the process simple and efficient. It reduces errors, manages inventory, processes claims, and organizes patient information so you and your staff can stay focused on patient care. The right technology partner can save time, lower costs, and streamline workflows across your practice.
Faster and Smarter Claims Processing
One of the biggest time drains in any practice is dealing with insurance claims. Traditional claim adjudication can involve multiple review stages, creating long delays. With direct dispensing software, claims are submitted and processed electronically—connecting your office directly with insurers’ payment systems. This speeds up reimbursements, minimizes paperwork, and allows you to focus on patient care rather than administrative burdens.
The result: more efficiency, better cash flow, and more time to generate revenue.
Benefits in Urgent Care Centers
The advantages of ancillary care extend beyond private practices. In urgent care centers, these services enhance both operations and patient outcomes.
- Patients receive immediate answers and treatments without delays.
- Digital platforms streamline communication between providers and departments, allowing for faster updates to treatment plans.
- Immediate diagnostic results improve accuracy and enable providers to coordinate care more effectively.
- Reduced wait times and fewer follow-up visits lower stress for patients and build trust in the care provided.
Urgent care centers are a strong example of how ancillary services can deliver both operational efficiency and better patient experiences at the same time.
In-Office Medication Dispensing: A Powerful Add-On
Another critical component of modern urgent care is in-office dispensing. Instead of sending patients to a pharmacy, providers can dispense commonly prescribed medications directly from the clinic.
Benefits of prepackaged medication dispensing include:
- Increased Adherence – Patients leave with medication in hand and clear instructions for their medications.
- Fewer Errors – In-person counseling minimizes misunderstandings.
- Faster Relief – Immediate access to treatment can improve outcomes.
- Greater Convenience – No need for a second trip to the pharmacy.
Common medications dispensed in urgent care include those for:
- Infections (e.g., antibiotics)
- Allergies and asthma
- Pain management
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Diabetes and blood pressure
When combined with ancillary diagnostic services, in-office dispensing ensures that treatment is based on real-time results, improving precision and reducing risks.
Improving Patient Outcomes With Ancillary Care and Dispensing
A clear example of how important ancillary services are for urgent care centers is the integration of respiratory therapists into emergency settings. In many hospitals, respiratory therapists have worked with operating room technicians to provide patients with fast support.
Because patients can save not only time but also money when ancillary services are provided in urgent care, they’re more likely to get treatment if they have concerns regarding costs. Ancillary services offer benefits such as providing less expensive testing. Patients are more likely to seek medical care if they know the process will be affordable and quick.
Urgent care dispensing allows them to avoid having to physically visit a pharmacy as well. Such travel could be an issue for those with mobility problems or transportation concerns.
Setting Up Ancillary Services in Urgent Care
To successfully implement ancillary care services in your urgent care center:
- Evaluate Patient Needs – What services are most in demand?
- Assess Your Space and Infrastructure – What can realistically be added?
- Plan for ROI – Estimate costs vs. potential revenue and operational efficiency gains.
- Ensure Compliance – Stay within FDA, DEA, and state board regulations, and remain compliant with Stark Law and the Anti-Kickback Statute.
- Integrate Thoughtfully – Design workflows that make sense for both patients and staff, minimizing disruptions.
Seamless integration means placing services where they make sense—such as locating medication dispensing near check-out areas and ensuring your ancillary staff is well-trained and supported.
Partnering With Proficient Rx for Delivering Ancillary Services
Proficient Rx offers comprehensive in-office dispensing programs tailored to urgent care centers. Their web-based system ensures compliance with the FDA, DEA, and state boards of pharmacy while streamlining medication tracking and patient care.
By working with Proficient Rx, urgent care centers can:
- Reduce prescription-related phone calls and delays
- Improve patient adherence and satisfaction
- Generate new revenue from prepackaged medication dispensing
Contact Proficient Rx today to learn how you can implement in-office medication dispensing and ancillary care support that improves patient care and drives business growth.
