MU Health Care’s Express Care offers walk-in, same-day care with extended hours in Columbia and Jefferson City.
Express Care makes it easy to see a medical provider for minor injuries and illnesses. These visits are fast, affordable, close to home and available to kids and adults 2 and older. You do not need to be an existing MU Health Care patient to visit Express Care.
Our providers offer visits at Battle Avenue Medical Building in Columbia and the Family Medicine Clinic on Madison Street in Jefferson City. You can find care for nonemergent medical conditions that fits your schedule:
- Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday - Sunday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Holidays: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Express Care closed Christmas Day)
If you have a medical emergency, please visit one of our emergency rooms right away.
Care When You Need It
We treat everyday illnesses and minor injuries. When you arrive, check in with your ID and insurance card. Copays are collected at registration. If you don’t have insurance, you can request a cost estimate ahead of your visit. After a visit, our Express Care providers help you plan your next steps, including:
- A written care plan and follow-up instructions
- Referrals for specialty or ongoing care
- Any necessary updates for your existing providers
Where to Go for Care
Knowing where to seek care helps you get the right treatment sooner. MU Health Care offers several options to meet your needs:
- Express Care: For minor illnesses and new symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, ear pain or skin rashes.
- Urgent Care: For sprains, small cuts, minor broken bones or more advanced needs, including X-rays, breathing treatments or labs.
- Emergency Room: For serious concerns like chest pain, shortness of breath, uncontrolled bleeding or sudden confusion or weakness.
COVID-19 testing is available at Express Care for individuals with moderate symptoms. For severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing, chest pain or vomiting, go directly to the ER. If you’re not sure where to go, contact your primary care provider.
Conditions We Treat at Express Care
From sniffles to skin irritations, our team provides fast and convenient care for a wide range of minor health concerns, including:
- Acute respiratory infections
- Cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms
- Congestion and sinus infection
- Ear infections
- Ear wax removal
- Eye irritation or pink eye
- Fever or sinus pressure
- Insect and spider bites or stings
- Minor rashes or skin irritations
- Seasonal allergies
- Simple rashes and cold sores
- Sore throat and strep throat
- Staple and suture removal
- Stomach bugs or mild nausea
- Ticks and head lice
- Urinary tract infections (female only)
- Yeast infections
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Express Care Tests and Treatments
In addition to treating and prescribing medication for mild health problems, an Express Care visit can also provide routine tests, certain physical exams and preventative care to help you meet work, school or activity requirements.
Point-of-care testing includes:
- COVID-19
- Ear canal exams
- Flu
- RSV
- Strep
- Urinalysis
If needed, we can send out samples for culture and follow up with your results.
Additional services include:
- Adult tetanus boosters
- Scouting America camp physical — $30 (form required; payment due at time of service)
- Child camp physical — $30 (form required; payment due at time of service)
- Childcare provider physical — $50 (MO-580-1879 form only; payment due at time of service)
- MSHSAA sports physical — $30 (Fill out required form before appointment; payment due at time of service)
Why Choose MU Health Care for Express Care
- Academic expertise: As part of an academic health system, we follow the latest best practices for treating common, short-term illnesses.
- Connected care: We use a shared electronic health record, so your Express Care visit becomes part of your full MU Health Care history. If you need more advanced care, we can offer referrals to other MU Health Care specialists.
- Convenient locations: Clinics are located in Columbia and Jefferson City, making it easy to fit care into your day.
- Same-day access: Express Care has convenient and fast care for colds, coughs, sore throats and more, including testing, treatment and prescriptions.
