For Central Indiana families, urgent care is the first call

For many Central Indiana families, the decision to seek care isn't simple. Cost worries and fear of what a diagnosis might reveal pushes residents to wait longer than they should before seeking care—and conditions that were manageable early may become harder to treat. 

Urgent care is often where they find help. Nine in 10 Central Indiana families have used urgent care. New findings from the Urgent Care Pulse Check Survey, commissioned by Community-GoHealth Urgent Care, show why.  

When people need care that's fast, affordable and close by, urgent care delivers care that fits around work and family. Sixty-one percent of residents choose urgent care because they can be seen quickly. Another 56% say not needing an appointment is a deciding factor. 

Why Central Indianans wait 

Compared with much of the country, Central Indiana residents are confident that healthcare will be available when and where they need it. Only 32% considered proximity to medical care when choosing where they live, compared to 55% nationally. And just 13% find accessing quality care stressful, versus 22% nationally. 

Despite strong confidence in healthcare access, 62% say they put off medical care as long as possible, suggesting that they trust it'll be there when they finally need it. That's well above the national average of 51%. In other words, easy access doesn't always mean timely care.  

Worries over personal health and financials may be behind this trend of delaying needed medical care. 

Financial pressures influence care decisions 

Financial concerns remain a major factor influencing many people’s healthcare decisions across the region. A third of Central Indianans (33%) say cost or insurance concerns have caused them to delay seeking care. 

When thinking about their health or their family’s health, 42% say dealing with insurance, including finding in-network providers, is most stressful (vs. 28% nationally). 

For many residents, urgent care offers a practical option when healthcare needs arise, providing accessible care that combines convenience with lower costs than emergency care, on average. Nearly a third (28%) say their family’s finances or insurance coverage make urgent care a more budget-friendly option this year compared with last year.  

Concerns about personal health can delay care 

Perceptions of personal health and concerns about what a diagnosis might reveal also influence when and how residents seek care. 

Many Central Indiana residents report feeling uncertain about their overall health, with 1 in 3 rating their health as "okay" or "poor." The region also stands out nationally for how often the fear of a diagnosis causes people to delay care. Thirty-three percent say they have postponed seeking medical attention because they were worried about what a doctor might find, nearly double the national average of 17%. 

These findings suggest that uncertainty about personal health may contribute to why some residents wait longer than they should before seeking care. 

Health habits influence overall wellness  

Daily habits can play an important role in shaping overall health across Central Indiana. While many residents stay active through individual exercise (45%), other lifestyle patterns suggest opportunities to improve overall wellness. 

• 47% report indulging in sweets or less-healthy foods 
• 11% take part in fitness classes (vs. 20% nationally) 
• 11% participate in organized sports (vs. 20% nationally) 

These patterns highlight how everyday health habits can influence overall wellness and may shape the types of health concerns residents experience over time. 

Supporting Central Indiana’s healthcare needs 

As Central Indiana residents navigate cost concerns and the uncertainty of when to seek care, having a trusted, accessible option matters. Central Indianans most reported ailments are: 

• Cold or flu: 46% 
• Seasonal allergies: 32% 
• Respiratory conditions or trouble breathing: 25% (vs. 16% nationally) 

These aren't emergencies. They're the everyday health needs that get put off and then get worse. Urgent care exists precisely for this. Urgent care fills that gap—fast, affordable, and available without the barriers that cause so many Hoosiers to wait too long. 

Infographic: 

Community-GoHealth Urgent Care - 2025 Urgent Care Pulse Check - 8.5x11.pdf 

Community-GoHealth Urgent Care - 2025 Urgent Care Pulse Check - 1000x2500.pdf