Urgent Care in Richmond, VA

Richmond is the capital of Virginia and the county-equivalent independent city (cities in VA are not part of surrounding counties), home to about 229,000 residents in the Greater Richmond metropolitan area (population 1.3 million). Founded in 1737 and chartered in 1782, Richmond was the capital of the Confederacy during the American Civil War and remains one of the most historically significant cities in the United States. The city sits along the James River, with the fall line creating whitewater rapids through Downtown (the only major US city with Class IV rapids within city limits). Richmond is defined by its historic neighborhoods, Virginia State Capitol (designed by Thomas Jefferson, 1788), Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU, the largest university in Virginia with 28,000 students), and the Monument Avenue historic district. The economy is driven by state government, Fortune 500 headquarters (Altria, CarMax, Performance Food Group, Owens & Minor, Dominion Energy, Genworth Financial), higher education, and healthcare.

Healthcare in Richmond is anchored by three major systems: VCU Health — the academic medical system of Virginia Commonwealth University, operating VCU Medical Center (the region's only Level I Trauma Center, 865 beds, top-50 US hospital for cancer, neurology, and pulmonology by US News) and Children's Hospital of Richmond; Bon Secours Mercy Health — Virginia's largest Catholic healthcare system, anchored by St. Mary's Hospital and Memorial Regional Medical Center (Mechanicsville); HCA Virginia — the largest for-profit hospital system in Virginia with Henrico Doctors' Hospital, Chippenham Hospital, Johnston-Willis Hospital, and Retreat Doctors' Hospital. Walk-in urgent care is dominated by Patient First (a Richmond-founded chain with 75+ locations across the Mid-Atlantic, headquartered in Glen Allen VA), Velocity Care Urgent Care (regional), Bon Secours Urgent Care, HCA CareNow (national HCA brand), AFC Urgent Care, Concentra, MinuteClinic at CVS, and NextCare Urgent Care.

This directory covers verified urgent care locations across Richmond proper (Downtown, Fan District, Museum District, Scott's Addition, Church Hill, Shockoe Bottom, Carytown, Forest Hill, Manchester, Byrd Park, Jackson Ward, Northside/Barton Heights, Southside) and the greater RVA metro — Henrico County (Short Pump, Innsbrook, Glen Allen, Highland Springs, Sandston, Lakeside, Tuckahoe, West End), Chesterfield County (Midlothian, Brandermill, Chester, Bon Air, Huguenot, Moseley), Hanover County (Mechanicsville, Ashland, Glen Allen, Hanover), and New Kent County (New Kent). Whether you need same-day care near VCU Medical Center, a walk-in clinic in Short Pump's Innsbrook corridor, or after-hours care in Chesterfield or Mechanicsville, you'll find the nearest verified option with hours, insurance, and directions.

Common questions about urgent care in Richmond

Quick answers before you visit.

What insurance do urgent care clinics in Richmond, VA accept?

Most urgent care clinics in Richmond accept major commercial plans (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Virginia, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana), Medicare, Virginia Medicaid, and TRICARE. Specific in-network coverage varies by clinic — check the individual clinic page for the most accurate list, or call the clinic directly to confirm before your visit.

Which urgent care networks are strongest in Richmond?

The largest walk-in care networks in the Richmond area include VCU Health, Bon Secours, and HCA Virginia. See the 'Local networks' section on this page for a description of each — their typical services, affiliated hospitals, and FAQs about insurance acceptance.

Is urgent care cheaper than the ER in Richmond?

Yes — significantly. A typical urgent care visit in Richmond costs $25–$75 with insurance (copay), or $100–$200 cash-pay for a basic visit. An ER visit averages $1,500–$2,500 even for non-emergency issues. Urgent care is appropriate for fevers, flu, UTIs, pink eye, minor injuries, strep, and most same-day concerns — reserve the ER for chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe bleeding, or trouble breathing.

Do Richmond urgent care clinics take walk-ins, or do I need an appointment?

All Richmond urgent care clinics accept walk-ins — that's their core business. Many large chains (MinuteClinic, AFC Urgent Care, Concentra, and Solv-partnered clinics) also let you reserve a time slot online to skip the waiting room. Wait times are typically posted live on each clinic's website.

Are there pediatric urgent care options in Richmond?

Most adult urgent cares in Richmond see children age 1 and older. For infants under 12 months or complex pediatric presentations, look for dedicated pediatric urgent care — PM Pediatric Care, children's-hospital-affiliated walk-in centers, or pediatric-specific clinics. Check individual clinic pages for pediatric availability and age ranges.

How late are urgent care clinics open in Richmond?

Most Richmond urgent care clinics are open 8 AM to 8 PM, 7 days a week. Some major-chain locations (MinuteClinic, AFC Urgent Care, Concentra) offer extended or weekend hours, and a handful operate 24/7. Check the 'hours' line on each individual clinic page for current operating times — clinic schedules change, so we recommend confirming before travel.