---
title: Why Virtual Urgent Care Saves Time and Money — And What That Means for Employers
description: Urgent care has become a go-to resource for non-emergency medical needs — but how that care is delivered can make a big difference in both cost and experience.
---

[Business Blog ](https://blog.firststophealth.com/business-blog)

# [Why Virtual Urgent Care Saves Time and Money — And What That Means for Employers](https://blog.firststophealth.com/business-blog/why-virtual-urgent-care-saves-time-and-money-and-what-that-means-for-employers)

 Written by [First Stop Health](https://blog.firststophealth.com/business-blog/author/first-stop-health) | Dec 2, 2025 5:38:24 PM

 

****

Urgent care has become a go-to resource for non-emergency medical needs — but how that care is delivered can make a big difference in both cost and experience.

A recent study by the [National Library of Medicine](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8205332/?utm_campaign=Tier%201-3%20Comms&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--Ylf-PpnzuU60zZxvNU74b65gc58SY4SndjfzUY2h61Gfm-MLKAYjYQkMEhvav5Gcq4MMI) compared virtual urgent care (VUC) with traditional, in-person urgent care (UC) visits. The results? Virtual care came out ahead in ways that matter to employees *and* employers.

## **The Key Stats: Virtual Wins on Time and Cost**

- **Visit Duration** 
    - In-person UC: **70.89 minutes**
    - Virtual UC: **9.38 minutes**  
      ➜ *Over an hour saved per visit*
- **Visit Cost** 
    - In-person UC: **$142.66**
    - Virtual UC: **$49.00**  
      ➜ *Nearly 3X less expensive*

These differences weren’t minor — they were statistically significant, meaning the advantages of virtual care are consistent and real.

## **Why It Matters for Employers**

Time and money savings aren’t just benefits for employees. For organizations offering virtual urgent care as part of their benefits strategy, the return on investment is tangible:

- **Fewer ER and UC visits** — reducing claim costs
- **Increased access to care** — especially for employees with limited time or transportation.
- **Higher satisfaction** — employees love fast, on-demand care from their phone

In fact, virtual urgent care is one of the most highly utilized benefit offerings when it’s easy to access, free to use, and includes after-hours availability.

 

- [Virtual Primary Care ](https://www.firststophealth.com/enhanced-virtual-primary-care)
- [Virtual Mental Health ](https://www.firststophealth.com/whole-mental-health)
- [Virtual Wellness Specialist Care ](https://www.firststophealth.com/specialist-care)
- [Virtual Urgent Care ](https://www.firststophealth.com/telemedicine-services)

 

 

[View full post](https://blog.firststophealth.com/business-blog/why-virtual-urgent-care-saves-time-and-money-and-what-that-means-for-employers)

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