Express Care
Visit Express Care at UC San Diego Health when you want same-day or next-day medical care for minor health care needs. You can also save your spot online.
Get expert diagnosis and treatment for coughs, colds, sore throat, ear infections, sprains and other common illnesses and injuries. You can also get diagnostic and wellness services, including prescription evaluations and screenings for camp and school, from experienced, board-certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Express Care Highlights
- Open seven days a week, including evenings and weekends — view hours and locations
- Available for individuals ages 6 months and older
- No appointment or referral needed
- Save time by reserving your spot online
- Many insurance plans and "cash pay" accepted
- Fast on-site testing available for some conditions
- X-ray services available at most locations
- See conditions treated and wellness services offered
Express Care Wait Times
The "Save My Spot" feature allows you to select a time frame for your visit so we can plan for your arrival. Please note wait times may change unexpectedly according to the number of patients waiting and the need to treat those with more serious conditions first.
Try an Express Care Video Visit
You can schedule same-day or next-day video appointments for certain health conditions 7 days a week. Available for patients 18 years or older.
Should I Choose Express Care or Urgent Care?
Express Care Hours and Locations
Hours: Open daily 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Closed: 12–1 p.m. for lunch, and on UC San Diego holidays)
Downtown San Diego Express Care
For ages 6 months and older | Wait times may change unexpectedly based on the number of patients waiting and the need to treat those with more serious conditions first
Eastlake / Chula Vista Express Care
For ages 6 months and older | Wait times may change unexpectedly based on the number of patients waiting and the need to treat those with more serious conditions first
Encinitas Express Care
For ages 6 months and older | Wait times may change unexpectedly based on the number of patients waiting and the need to treat those with more serious conditions first
Pacific Highlands Ranch Express Care
For ages 6 months and older | Wait times may change unexpectedly based on the number of patients waiting and the need to treat those with more serious conditions first
Rancho Bernardo Express Care
For ages 6 months and older | Wait times may change unexpectedly based on the number of patients waiting and the need to treat those with more serious conditions first
Vista Express Care
For ages 6 months and older | Wait times may change unexpectedly based on the number of patients waiting and the need to treat those with more serious conditions first
Patient Experience Rating
This is a summary of each location’s ratings within Express Care.
Emergency Care
If you have a life-threatening medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Department.
Our ER locations in San Diego County are open 24 hours every day.
Who Can Use Express Care?
Patients ages 6 months and older can get excellent care from our experienced nurse practitioners and physician assistants without a referral. Meet our team.
This same-day service helps when you have a common illness or injury, or face a relatively minor situation that can’t wait for an appointment with your primary care doctor.
If you don't want to go to the clinic, you can use Express Care Video Visits to get virtual care from the comfort of your home — if you're 18 years of age or older.
Illness and Injury Care
Get expert diagnosis and treatment for several minor health conditions at our Express Care clinics. You can also get quick on-site testing for certain conditions.
Symptoms and Conditions Treated at Express Care
- Cold, cough and flu symptoms
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Constipation
- COVID-19 testing or symptom evaluation
- Diarrhea
- Earaches and ear infections
- Fever
- Insect bites and stings
- Minor burns
- Minor cuts, wound closure and care
- Minor gynecologic complaints
- Painful urination
- Prescription refill
- Rashes
- Seasonal allergies
- Sexually transmitted disease (STD) counseling
- Simple fractures, sprains and strains
- Sinus problems
- Skin infections
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
- Worsening asthma
Quick On-Site Testing
We offer "point-of-care" testing for certain conditions. You'll get the results before you leave the clinic for the following:
- Blood sugar (fingertip)
- Flu test
- Pregnancy (urine test)
- Strep test
- Rapid COVID-19 tests
- Rapid RSV tests
- Urinalysis
Wellness and Preventive Services
For your convenience, our Express Care clinics also offer X-rays and a range of wellness services, including diagnostic tests, for you and your family:
- Blood pressure checks
- Certain gynecology needs, including birth control prescriptions and pregnancy testing (pap smears are not performed)
- EpiPen prescriptions
- Flu shots
- Most sports physicals or health screenings for camp or school for adults or children ages 6 and up
Paying for Express Care
You can pay with your health insurance plans, including USHIP student health insurance, or use cash pay at our Express Care clinics (except for our Medi-Cal patients). We do not accept Medi-Cal. Co-pays for visits are typically the same as that for a clinic appointment and must be paid while checking in.
You may also be able to use your employer-provided flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to pay for Express Care. Check with your plan.
Express Care: Holiday Closures & Limited Hours
Our Express Care clinics are open daily 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. (closed: 12–1 p.m. for lunch) except on the following days:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January) — open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Presidents Day (third Monday in February) — open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Memorial Day (last Monday in May) — closed
- Juneteenth (June 19) — open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Independence Day (July 4) — closed
- Labor Day (first Monday in September) — closed
- Veterans Day (November 11) — open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November) — closed
- Friday after Thanksgiving — open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Christmas holidays (December 24–25) — closed
- New Year's holidays (December 31-January 1) — closed