The ever-changing health care landscape makes it challenging for small businesses to offer employees access to meaningful medical services. In some cases, the expense is so great that it puts small business owners at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to hiring and retaining top talent.
The team at Physicians Urgent Care (PUC) recognized the viciousness of that cycle and recently introduced Medical Memberships, a service designed to fulfill this unmet need. Memberships, available to businesses with 120 or fewer employees, include unlimited urgent care visits for just $57 per month, per employee.
“We’re small-business owners, too, and we know how expensive health insurance can be,” says Dr. Jason Rubino, one of six partners at doctor-owned Physicians Urgent Care. “Since we began offering them a few months ago, Medical Memberships have been well received. We see it as a sensible way for business owners to offer their employees access to quality care that’s convenient and affordable.”
On most days, most people don’t need a doctor. But when they do, it’s often to see their primary care physician for a chronic condition—or the dreaded trip to the ER that many have made either for themselves or a family member.
But it’s that in-between space—common illnesses and minor injuries—that PUC fills.
“We can see patients quickly when they are experiencing infections, strep throat, flu or COVID symptoms,” Rubino says. “And we can treat injuries that require sutures, which is something your primary care physician isn’t always equipped to do.”
Beyond those basics, PUC can diagnose a host of conditions including asthma, bronchitis, migraines, rashes, burns and dehydration. Think you might have a sprain, strain or fracture? Visit PUC. Lab work and X-rays are performed on-site. Need a sports physical or flu shot? You can schedule that at PUC, too.
“A lot of times, due to the expense involved or the long wait to see a primary care physician, people will try to treat an illness or injury with rest and over-the-counter medications, hoping it resolves on its own,” Rubino says. “Because we’re affordable and people can be seen the same day, we help mitigate those concerns.”
Rubino, whose partners include Drs. Jeffrey St. Amant, Brady Allen, David Whetstone, Nabil Boutros and Stephen Anderson, says it all comes down to how much a patient values their peace of mind.
“When my kids are sick, it’s best to take them to someone who can make sure it’s not serious,” he says. “It’s a lot less expensive to treat something early and prevent it from evolving into something more severe. The peace of mind is worth the small out-of-pocket expense.”
A growing number of people agree. Physicians Urgent Care sees about 45,000 patients annually between its three Williamson County locations: 155 Covey Drive in Franklin, 5021 Hughes Crossing in Berry Farms, and 700 Old Hickory Boulevard in Brentwood. A fourth location in Nolensville is set to open in December 2025.
The service and convenience are tough to beat. The on-site providers are among the best in the area. The six owner-doctors, who actively practice in hospital emergency rooms, schedule their shifts to ensure there’s always an ER physician on call. That’s critical when it comes to evaluating patients with unusual symptoms.
“Our providers are great. They all have a lot of experience,” Rubino says. “We personally train them every other month on various medical conditions. The protocols we follow are very specific so we can provide the best care.”
“We encourage our providers to consult with us. They’ll send us an X-ray or EKG, and sometimes multiple doctors will respond at once. We’re happy to answer those questions. It means our providers are doing a thorough job and ruling out serious diagnoses.”
Rubino notes that every urgent care center sees a small number of cases that require ER treatment. At PUC, that number is about two percent. When it happens, and with the patient’s consent, PUC can arrange ambulance transport and provide detailed information about the case to the emergency department.
The goal is to treat patients at PUC and free up the ER for truly critical cases.
“Emergency physicians are saving lives every day. Our role is to bridge the gap between minor illnesses and true emergencies,” Rubino says. “Sometimes people come to us because they don’t want to wait at the ER, and they’re not sure if they should go. For example, patients with chest pains or shortness of breath can be evaluated by us, and we determine if they need a higher level of care. We don’t reflexively send people to the ER.”
“We take pride in being a small, independent company owned by ER doctors. We see firsthand the problem of ER overcrowding and want to help patients avoid the expense and time of an emergency room visit. That’s why we have such a loyal following.”
And it all starts with meeting unmet needs. PhysiciansUrgentCare.com