Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital today announced the transition of the Charlevoix Urgent Care to a new Walk-In Clinic as part of the Regional Care Transformation Plan to provide more patient-centric care.
On March 1, the Charlevoix Urgent Care will discontinue services in the Charlevoix Emergency Department and will begin the transition to the new Walk-in Clinic that will open on April 1, 2024. The Walk-in Clinic will be conveniently located at 14705 W. Upright St., Building D in Charlevoix. The Charlevoix Emergency Department will continue to offer 24/7 care every day of the year.
The new Charlevoix Walk-in Clinic will prioritize walk-in availability and same-day call-ahead appointments, ensuring timely access to care for patients. Additionally, the Walk-in Clinic will offer more affordable options for the community, with a patient’s insurance billed as a specialist visit to support cost-effective healthcare delivery.
“We are excited to offer this standalone walk-in clinic separate from the emergency department. In the existing Urgent Care framework, the level of patient care can unexpectedly shift from urgent to emergency services based on clinical criteria. This has resulted in increased expenses for our valued patients," stated Joanne Schroeder, President of MHC Charlevoix Hospital. "Acknowledging this concern, we are pleased to announce that our new Walk-in Clinic model will effectively tackle this issue."
Patients can expect the same level of care provided by the current urgent care, including point-of-care lab testing and necessary imaging services, which will be conveniently accessible at Charlevoix Hospital, located just across the street.
During the transition period from March 1 to March 31, community members are encouraged to utilize existing alternative healthcare resources, including:
- Charlevoix Emergency Department for emergencies.
- Munson Healthcare’s Ask-A-Nurse Line, 231-935-0951. This is a free service connecting the community to a registered nurse to talk about any symptoms or concerns. It is available 24/7.
- Munson Virtual Urgent Care | Daily; 7 am – 7 pm | MunsonHealthcare.org/VirtualUrgentCare
- Primary Care Provider | Don’t have one? MHC Charlevoix Primary Care is accepting new patients, call 231-547-6554, or visit MunsonHealthcare.org/Find-A-Doctor.
Upon opening on April 1, 2024, the Munson Walk-In Clinic will operate from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm, providing accessible healthcare services to the community. The Walk-in Clinic will be staffed by experienced providers, including Jean McDonough, FNP-BC, a seasoned family medicine provider with years of experience in emergency department and critical care settings, alongside Carolann Hoffman, PA-C.
"I'm excited to offer same-day care to our community," McDonough expressed. "This innovative care model will offer patients a more cost-effective and convenient option."
MHC Charlevoix Hospital is committed to ensuring a smooth transition and providing continued support to our community's healthcare needs.