AFC Urgent Care in Chattanooga: Walk-In Treatment with Extended Hours and Occupational Health Services
AFC Urgent Care operates as a walk-in clinic in Chattanooga focused on acute illnesses, injuries, and preventive services that do not require hospitalization or emergency department wait times. Unlike the emergency room at a hospital system, AFC handles strains, minor fractures, infections, and routine care without the overhead costs or multi-hour delays; unlike a primary care office, it requires no appointment. The clinic also operates an occupational health division serving local employers for workers' compensation exams and drug screens, which distinguishes it from most other urgent care competitors in the city.
Services and Pricing
AFC Urgent Care treats cold and flu symptoms, strep throat, urinary tract infections, minor wounds, sprains and strains, and muscle aches. The clinic can perform on-site X-rays, EKGs, and rapid tests (strep, mono, flu, COVID-19). It also offers physicals for employment, school, and sports, along with vaccines including tetanus and flu shots.
Walk-in visits typically cost between $100 and $200 without insurance, depending on complexity; this is significantly lower than emergency room copays, which often start at $200 to $500. With insurance, copays generally range from $20 to $50. Occupational health services (drug screening, workers' compensation exams) are billed directly to employers on a per-service basis; prices vary and should be confirmed with the clinic directly.
AFC accepts most major insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid. Uninsured patients can ask about cash-pay discounts at the front desk.
How AFC Compares to Other Chattanooga Urgent Care Options
Chattanooga has several urgent care providers. CarePoint Urgent Care, also located in the area, operates similar hours and handles comparable illnesses but does not market occupational health services. Erlanger Quick Care, operated by the Erlanger Health System, accepts walk-ins but operates under hospital billing, which can increase costs for self-pay patients compared to independent urgent care clinics.
Choose AFC if you need occupational health or drug screening as part of your visit, prefer to avoid hospital-system billing, or favor an independent clinic. Choose CarePoint or Erlanger Quick Care if you value integration with a larger health system's specialists or prefer scheduling an appointment ahead of time rather than walking in.
Who AFC Suits and Does Not Suit
AFC is well-suited for employed adults needing occupational health services, people with minor acute illnesses or injuries, travelers without a primary care doctor in Chattanooga, and those without insurance seeking affordable care. It is not appropriate for severe injuries (broken bones requiring orthopedic surgery), chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, or conditions requiring CT or MRI scans, all of which require an emergency room.
Pediatric care is available, but very young children with serious illness or injury belong in an ER.
What a First Visit Involves
Upon arrival, expect to check in at the front desk and provide photo ID and insurance information if you carry a plan. Wait time typically ranges from 15 to 45 minutes depending on clinic volume; busy afternoons and evenings may extend waits. You will complete a brief health history form, then see a physician assistant or nurse practitioner who will perform a focused exam and order tests or imaging if needed. Most visits conclude with a diagnosis, treatment plan (including prescriptions if applicable), and a record you can take with you. If the provider identifies a condition requiring ongoing specialist care or hospitalization, they will provide a referral or recommend you visit an ER.
Hours, Location, and Parking
AFC Urgent Care is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; it is closed Sundays. Hours do vary seasonally; confirm before your visit. Parking is available on-site at no charge. The clinic does not require an appointment; walk-ins are accepted until 30 minutes before closing.
AFC Urgent Care serves Chattanooga's employed and uninsured populations by bundling affordable acute care with occupational health services, eliminating the need to visit two separate providers for injury reports or drug screens. Its extended weekday hours and Saturday availability fill gaps left by primary care offices that close at 5:00 p.m. or do not operate weekends.
