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A patient has an injured limb examined following recovery from an injury

Can you get X-rays at urgent care?

10/6/25
Some urgent care clinics provide X-rays while others don’t. Inquiring at the urgent care clinic is the best way to find out. Here’s what else to consider.

Urgent care clinics, sometimes called walk-in or quick-care clinics, are helpful for same-day nonemergency healthcare.

Some urgent care clinics, like Crystal Run Urgent Care locations, offer X-rays, while others do not. However, a person who needs an X-ray may be able to get a referral or guidance on next steps from an urgent care clinic.

A healthcare team will recommend an X-ray when there is a medical reason to do so. A person typically can’t get one on request.

For quick nonemergency care, consider going to an urgent care clinic as a first step and getting a referral for an X-ray if needed.

For same-day emergency care, call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room.

How X-rays work in urgent care

An X-ray is a painless imaging test that uses a small amount of radiation to create images of the inside of the body. It helps healthcare professionals see things like the bones, lungs, and other organs.

A trained and certified professional called a radiology technologist (rad tech) performs X-rays, and a board certified radiologist interprets the results.. Not all urgent care centers provide this service, but some do.

Urgent care clinics are for common nonemergency issues like:

  • Cold and flu symptoms
  • Simple fractures, sprains and strains
  • Allergic reactions that aren’t life threatening
  • Back pain
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI)

What can X-rays show?

With X-rays, the radiologist can see bone, joint and other health issues, including:

  • Loss of joint space
  • Damage to bone
  • Bone remodeling
  • Bone spurs
  • Bone cancer
  • Some infections, such as pneumonia

Early joint damage from arthritis may not be visible on an X-ray, but other tests are available. Crystal Run Urgent Care Centers offer MRI and CT scans in addition to X-rays.

How much do X-rays cost at urgent care?

Depending on your insurance plan, the cost you pay for an X-ray can vary. Speak to your insurance provider to find out what’s covered and what your out-of-pocket cost may be. For those without insurance, contact the urgent care center for more information.

Many urgent care clinics accept many different types of insurance.

5 things to discuss with the radiologist or technician

Before getting an X-ray, it can be helpful to share certain medical information with the care team and have a few questions prepared. Here are some examples of things to discuss with the radiologist.

1. Medical imaging history

The radiologist may want to know when the person had previous X-rays or other types of imaging.

2. Pregnancy

Before the X-ray, a pregnant person should always inform a radiologist they’re pregnant, or that they might be pregnant. X-rays can be harmful to developing babies. It is possible to take precautions to protect the fetus.

3. Potential alternatives

It’s essential to have a valid reason to undergo an X-ray, as all radiation carries risks. Consider asking why this imaging test is necessary and whether alternative options are available.

4. Additional medical steps

Some imaging tests that use X-rays require additional steps, like the oral or intravenous administration of a contrast agent. A person may find it helpful to ask the care team beforehand so they know what to expect.

5. How to keep the radiation dose to a minimum

It may increase a person’s confidence in the radiologist to know what steps they take to reduce the radiation dose.

Takeaway

Healthcare teams use X-rays to investigate various health issues. People who think they require an X-ray may want to contact an urgent care clinic like Crystal Run Urgent Care that provides this service.

When choosing an urgent care center near you, it’s important to make sure it can offer what you need in order to get the best quality of care before, during and after your visit. Not all urgent care centers are the same or can provide the same services. Crystal Run Urgent Care is directly connected to more than 375 providers in over 50 medical specialties and can schedule a follow-up appointment or specialty consult for patients if needed. Best of all our urgent care providers are able to see your historical medical information through our shared electronic medical records system and share important information back to your primary care provider and specialists. Crystal Run Healthcare offers four convenient urgent care locations throughout Orange, Sullivan and Rockland counties in Middletown, Newburgh, Rock Hill and West Nyack.