Long Wait Times & Provider Shortages
The US faces a projected shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. Here's how to get care faster — and how the system is adapting.
The Access Crisis by the Numbers
26 days
Average wait for a new primary care appointment
Merritt Hawkins 2022
86,000
Projected physician shortage by 2036
AAMC 2023
60M+
Americans live in primary care shortage areas
HRSA 2023
4–6 months
Average wait for a psychiatrist in many states
NAMI 2022
Provider shortages are not evenly distributed. Rural counties, low-income urban neighborhoods, and communities of color bear the heaviest burden. Meanwhile, administrative overhead consumes 34% of US healthcare spending — time and money that could fund more providers.
Solutions & Resources
Use Telehealth for Faster, Cheaper Access
Telehealth visits can be scheduled same-day or next-day for most non-emergency conditions. Since COVID-19, insurance coverage has expanded dramatically — most plans now cover telehealth at the same rate as in-person visits.
Action Steps
- Use telehealth for: UTIs, sinus infections, rashes, mental health, medication refills, and follow-ups
- Most telehealth platforms offer visits within hours, not weeks
- Check if your insurance covers telehealth — most ACA plans now require parity
- Direct-pay telehealth (without insurance) typically costs $50–$75 per visit
Resources & Tools
Urgent Care & Retail Clinics for Non-Emergency Needs
Urgent care centers and retail clinics (CVS MinuteClinic, Walgreens Health, Walmart Health) handle 80% of common conditions with same-day availability and lower costs than ERs.
Action Steps
- Urgent care costs $100–$200 vs $1,200–$2,000 for an ER visit for the same condition
- Retail clinics inside pharmacies handle vaccinations, physicals, strep, flu, and minor injuries
- Many urgent care centers now offer online check-in to reduce wait times
- Use for: infections, sprains, minor cuts, vaccinations, physicals, and prescription refills
Resources & Tools
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
FQHCs are federally funded community health centers required to serve all patients regardless of ability to pay. They use a sliding-scale fee system based on income. There are 1,400+ FQHC organizations with 14,000+ service sites nationwide.
Action Steps
- FQHCs must accept all patients — no insurance required
- Fees are based on a sliding scale tied to your income (can be $0 for very low incomes)
- Services include primary care, dental, mental health, and pharmacy
- Find your nearest FQHC using the HRSA Health Center Finder
Resources & Tools
Direct Primary Care (DPC) — Subscription Medicine
DPC practices charge a flat monthly fee ($50–$150/month) for unlimited primary care visits with no insurance billing. Physicians in DPC practices see 600–800 patients vs 2,500+ in traditional practices — meaning more time and faster access.
Action Steps
- DPC memberships typically include unlimited visits, same/next-day appointments, and direct physician access
- Combine DPC with a catastrophic insurance plan for comprehensive coverage at lower total cost
- DPC physicians often provide labs, imaging, and medications at wholesale cost
- Best for: people with frequent primary care needs or those frustrated with rushed appointments
Resources & Tools
Faster Mental Health Access Strategies
Mental health wait times are among the worst in healthcare. Multiple pathways exist to get faster access to therapy, psychiatry, and crisis support.
Action Steps
- Use text/app-based therapy platforms for immediate access (BetterHelp, Talkspace)
- Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) offer sliding-scale fees and faster intake
- Your primary care physician can prescribe most common psychiatric medications
- Crisis lines (988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) provide immediate support 24/7
Resources & Tools
Strategies to Get Appointments Faster
Practical tactics to reduce your personal wait time within the existing system — without waiting for systemic change.
Action Steps
- Ask to be put on a cancellation list — practices often have same-week openings from cancellations
- Call at 8 AM on Monday — most practices release their weekly schedule at the start of the week
- Ask your current doctor for a 'warm handoff' referral — direct physician-to-physician referrals get faster appointments
- Use patient portals to message your care team — many issues can be resolved without an appointment
How MedTrack Helps with Access
- Find pharmacies near you with extended hours and walk-in availability
- Locate pharmacies that offer pharmacist consultations for minor health questions
- Compare pharmacy types including retail clinics co-located with pharmacies
- Search providers by specialty and location across 175,000+ facilities
Continue the series
Next: Insurance Red Tape & Network Restrictions