Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Sutter Express Care?
- Who can use Sutter Express Care services?
- Where are Sutter Express Care clinics located?
- What are the clinic hours?
- How long do I have to wait? Do I need an appointment?
- What kinds of conditions do you treat at Sutter Express Care?
- What does it cost?
- Do I need to have health insurance to be treated?
- Will you bill my insurance?
- Is there a doctor available? What is a nurse practitioner?
- What is the follow up with my doctor?
- What if I don't have a doctor?
- What if I need additional or follow up care after my visit?
- What if I get there and learn I need more urgent treatment?
- What should I do if I think I have a severe illness or injury?
- Can I be treated for chronic conditions?
- What if I need lab work or X-rays?
- Can I get a prescription?
- Can I get refills on medications prescribed by other doctors?
- Will my insurance cover the prescription?
- Will I get a copy of my record?
- Do I need to have a Sutter doctor?
What is Sutter Express Care?
Sutter Express Care is fast, easy and affordable health care located at select Rite Aid stores throughout the Sacramento region. Sutter Express Care is part of Sutter Health, a family of highly respected doctors, nurses and hospitals throughout Northern California.
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Who can use Sutter Express Care services?
Everyone is welcome at Sutter Express Care, no matter where you receive your ongoing medical care. Care is available for adults and children 18 months of age and older.
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Where are Sutter Express Care clinics located?
Sutter Express Care is located at select Rite Aid stores throughout the Sacramento Region — so there's sure to be one close to you.
List of locations
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What are the clinic hours?
Monday through Friday
9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Holiday Hours
Please see clinic locations pages to view individual clinic holiday hours
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How long do I have to wait? Do I need an appointment?
You never need an appointment to be seen at Sutter Express Care. Patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Visits typically take 20 minutes.
We also offer pagers so you can shop while you wait.
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What kinds of conditions do you treat at Sutter Express Care?
We provide medical services for everyday illnesses. That includes common ailments like strep throat, the flu and allergies. Our nurse practitioners can order prescriptions, as needed. At Sutter Express Care, we also provide sports and school physicals, wellness screenings and some immunizations.
Complete menu of services offered
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What does it cost?
At Sutter Express Care, the price for most services is a flat fee of $69. Vaccinations and some wellness screenings are priced separately.
Sutter Express Care also accepts many health plans, so the price you pay may be less.
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Do I need to have health insurance to be treated?
You do not need insurance to be treated at Sutter Express Care. We accept many health plans; however, nearly half of the patients we see do not have health insurance.
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Will you bill my insurance?
We can bill your health insurance if it’s one of the current plans we contract with. Sutter Health is actively working with health plans to make Sutter Express Care a contracted provider for many different health plan products.
List of current health plans we contract with.
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Is there a doctor available? What is a nurse practitioner?
Every Sutter Express Care is staffed by a highly-skilled certified nurse practitioner who has advanced training to treat people for many common ailments like strep throat, the flu and seasonal allergies. They can even order a prescription for you. Sutter Express Care medical clinics maintain physician oversight and follow physician-developed clinical protocols.
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What is the follow up with my doctor?
Sutter Express Care will provide you a treatment report, or "After Visit Summary." We can also mail or fax a special report just for your primary care physician. This report documents your Sutter Express Care visit. This is important, as it helps to ensure your physician is notified of your health care needs.
And if your doctor belongs to Sutter Medical Group, Sutter West Medical Group or Sutter Independent Physicians, your personal, secure medical record will be updated automatically after each visit. Sutter Express Care clinics are outfitted with the latest in information technology — the electronic health record (EHR) system for Sutter Health - which gives Sutter caregivers immediate and confidential access to their patient's health information.
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What if I don't have a doctor?
You don't need to be established with a primary care physician to be seen at Sutter Express Care; however, we recommend that everyone keep a relationship with a doctor. Sutter Express Care isn't meant to replace the care you would receive from a regular doctor. Rather, we're here to help when you and your family need treatment for things like the cold and flu, earaches and allergies.
To find a doctor who's right for you, visit www.sutterhealth.org
You can search for a physician based on things like location, gender, languages spoken and more.
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What if I need additional or follow up care after my visit?
If your condition requires ongoing care you will be referred to your primary care physician. If you don’t have a physician, we will refer you to a physician that is accepting new patients.
To assist in this process we will also provide you with an "After Visit Summary", documenting your Sutter Express Care visit. Unless you prefer otherwise, your physician will also be notified of your visit.
Some conditions require some follow-up and can be cared for at Sutter Express Care. The nurse practitioner will tell you if this is an option.
We also have special guidelines for urgent and emergency situations.
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What if I get there and learn I need more urgent treatment?
The nurse practitioner will direct you to the right place for the care you need if it is beyond the scope provided. At Sutter Express Care, we provide medical services for everyday illnesses. That includes common ailments like strep throat, the flu and allergies. Our nurse practitioners can order prescriptions, as needed. We also provide sports and school physicals, wellness screenings and some immunizations.
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What should I do if I think I have a severe illness or injury?
You should call your doctor, go to the nearest emergency department, or call 911.
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Can I be treated for chronic conditions?
Things like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or other chronic disesases
No. Sutter Express care only provides services for everyday illnesses that need immediate attention. You can be screened for some of these conditions at Sutter Express Care, but you will be referred to another health center or your doctor's office for actual treatment. We also don't refill medications prescribed by other physicians.
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What if I need lab work or X-rays?
If it's determined during your visit that you need lab work or X-rays, the nurse practitioner can order this for you, but you will need to seek additional care with a physician. This saves you time - you can complete your lab or X-ray work before the appointment with your physician.
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Can I get a prescription?
If it's determined that a prescription is needed, your Sutter Express Care nurse practitioner can order one for you.
You can choose where to have your prescription filled.
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Can I get refills on medications prescribed by other doctors?
No. Sutter Express Care only provides services for everyday illnesses that need immediate attention. We cannot refill medications prescribed by other doctors for chronic conditions.
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Will my insurance cover the prescription?
You should check with your health plan and pharmacy to ensure your insurance will cover your prescription. The cost for your Sutter Express Care visit does not include the cost of any prescriptions.
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Will I get a copy of my record?
Every patient will be given a treatment report or "After Visit Summary." This document includes directions for follow-up care and counseling on any re-check that might be needed. If you wish, we will also provide a copy of this document to your physician.
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Do I need to have a Sutter doctor?
No. We see patients who have doctors affiliated with many different health care organizations.
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