New Primary Care Services Center Opens in Silver Spring

A new urgent and primary care services center opens in Silver Spring on Wednesday, Oct. 2.

It's the 15th Patient First center in Maryland, according to a news release from Patient First. 

Located at 8601 16th Street, at Spring Street, the new facility will serve residents of Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Chevy Chase Wheaton and surrounding neighborhoods, according to the news release.

The location will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day of the year for urgent care; work, school, camp, sports and travel physicals; occupational health; and primary care for patients who do not have a primary care physician.

"The goal of Patient First is to provide convenient, cost-effective medical care on a walk-in basis," Dr. R.P. Sowers, founder and CEO of Patient First, said.

"At the same time, our physicians and staff always work closely and in a collaborative fashion with the area’s existing medical community to provide care," he added

Urgent care: Care for colds, flu, allergic reactions, ear and sinus infections, pneumonia, minor burns, skin rashes, sprains, minor fractures, lacerations and sports injuries.

Primary care: Preventative and primary medical services for patients who do not have a regular physician. While appointments are not necessary, a patient selecting a Patient First physician for primary care may refer to the Patient First web site at www.patientfirst.com to see when their preferred physician is on-duty. Patients also may call the center for a three-day physician schedule.

Digital x-ray services: The location will be equipped with on-site digital x-ray equipment for routine x-rays.

Lab work: On-site services for routine office laboratory work and send-out service for more complex tests.

Prescriptions: Routine prescription dispensed drugs on-site.

Occupational health: Services include treatment for workplace injuries covered by workers’ compensation, as well as DOT physicals, drug screenings and work-site flu shots.

Patient First accepts all major insurance plans including Aetna, CareFirst (BCBS), CIGNA, Coventry, EHP, Medicare, TRICARE and UnitedHealthcare. A complete listing of participating insurers can be found on the website at www.patientfirst.com.