24 Hour Urgent Care in Columbia
Columbia is South Carolina's capital and home to the University of South Carolina, with urgent care clinics anchored by Prisma Health and Lexington Medical Center spread across the metro including Lexington, Irmo, Chapin, and Blythewood. The hot humid summers and large state government and military workforce from Fort Jackson contribute to consistent urgent care utilization throughout the year.
Urgent care hours in Columbia: The earliest opening time among Columbia's 10 listed urgent care clinics is 8am, and the latest closing time is 8pm. 0 locations stay open past 9pm, and 9 are open on weekends — use the Open Now filter below to see who's currently accepting patients.
Filter clinics:
MUSC Health Emergency and Urgent CareCall to Confirm
HCA CareNow - Garners Ferry
Prisma Health Urgent Care - Columbia - Forest Acres
Prisma Health Urgent Care - Columbia - Five Points
Prisma Health Urgent Care - Columbia - Garners Ferry
HCA CareNow - Spring Valley
Prisma Health Urgent Care - Columbia Harbison Boulevard
Novant Health Urgent Care – Forest Acres (Formerly Doctors Care)
Novant Health Urgent Care – Shandon (Formerly Doctors Care)
Novant Health Urgent Care – Northeast (Formerly Doctors Care)
What to Expect at Urgent Care in Columbia
Listings are checked against Google's Places API and, where needed, the CMS NPPES provider registry — see how we verify listings. Hours change frequently, so please call ahead to confirm before visiting. Found an error? Let us know.
Health Considerations in South Carolina
South Carolina's subtropical coastal climate — particularly in Charleston, Hilton Head, and the Grand Strand — creates year-round heat and humidity that make heat exhaustion, dehydration, and skin infections common during the long summer season. The state's hurricane exposure on the Atlantic coast also creates periodic storm-related urgent care surges, and high spring and summer pollen counts drive significant allergy and sinus infection presentations across the Upstate and Midlands regions.
Urgent Care in Columbia — Frequently Asked Questions
Is urgent care open on weekends in Columbia?
Yes — 9 of the 10 urgent care centers listed above for Columbia are open on Saturdays and Sundays. Some locations have reduced Sunday hours, so check the listings above for exact weekend hours at each clinic. If you need care on a Sunday evening, it's worth calling ahead to confirm the location hasn't closed early.
Do I need an appointment for urgent care in Columbia?
No appointment is needed at most Columbia urgent care centers. Walk-ins are welcome at all locations listed above. Some clinics offer online check-in so you can hold your spot in line before you arrive and reduce your time in the waiting room — check the clinic's website or Google listing to see if this is available.
How much does urgent care cost in Columbia?
A typical urgent care visit in Columbia costs between $100 and $200 without insurance for a basic exam. Additional services — such as X-rays, lab tests, rapid strep or flu tests, or stitches — will increase the total. Most clinics will provide a cost estimate when you call, and many post their self-pay rates on their website. See our full urgent care cost guide for a detailed breakdown.
Does urgent care in Columbia accept Medicaid?
Many urgent care centers in Columbia accept South Carolina Medicaid along with Medicare and major commercial insurance plans, but acceptance varies by clinic and by Medicaid managed-care plan. Call ahead to confirm the location takes your specific plan and is in-network before your visit.
What is the wait time at urgent care in Columbia?
Wait times vary by clinic. Prisma Health Urgent Care - Columbia - Garners Ferry is the highest-rated option among the 10 clinics listed here, at 4.8★. Weekday mornings tend to have the shortest waits industry-wide, and online check-in — where available — can reduce time in the waiting room.
What can urgent care treat in Columbia?
Columbia urgent care centers treat a wide range of non-life-threatening conditions including colds, flu, strep throat, ear infections, urinary tract infections, minor cuts and lacerations, sprains, rashes, pink eye, and more. Many locations also provide X-rays, lab work, and vaccinations. For chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, or other emergencies, go to the nearest ER or call 911.
Should I go to urgent care or the ER in Columbia?
Choose urgent care for non-life-threatening conditions — infections, minor injuries, illness, and anything that isn't immediately dangerous. Go to the ER (or call 911) for chest pain, difficulty breathing, suspected stroke, severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, or any situation that could be life-threatening. Urgent care is typically faster and far less expensive for the conditions it's designed to handle. See our full ER vs. urgent care guide for more detail.
How many urgent care options does Columbia have?
Columbia has 10 listed urgent care clinics, averaging 4.5★ across 10,050 reviews. See the full list above for addresses, phone numbers, and hours.