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 in Urgent Care Centers
Ancillary care provides a number of benefits for urgent care centers, with enhanced patient outcomes and satisfaction being among the most important. Patients can get immediate answers about their health issues and receive appropriate treatments without delay.
Ancillary services also assist in streamlining workflows. Using digital health platforms, for example, can improve the speed and accuracy of communications between departments and providers, allowing them to make changes to treatments quickly.
The faster that providers obtain diagnostic results, the better the outcome can be for patients. Ancillary care allows for greater accuracy in diagnosing because providers get results at once, allowing them to better coordinate treatments with other healthcare professionals and tailor treatment plans for their patients.
Ancillary services also reduce patient wait times. Patients don’t need to schedule follow-up appointments to get their results, which has the potential to reduce stress and allow them to receive treatment more rapidly.
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.
