100% virtual urgent care — see a board-certified ER doctor by secure video. No waiting room, no app.

100% Virtual Urgent Care · Athens, GA

See an ER Doctor by Video — Skip the Athens Waiting Room

Georgia's ERs are slammed — and Athens is no exception. See a real board-certified emergency physician by secure video for a flat $100 instead — same day, from home, the office, or campus — and we'll send your prescription to the pharmacy closest to you.

1From your phone or laptop
2Secure video with an ER doctor
3Prescription sent to your pharmacy
Board-certified ER physicians $100 flat — no membership No app · HIPAA-secure video Open 8a–8p, every day Money-back guarantee
Dr. Erik Petersen, board-certified ER physician, on a FirstCall video visit Dr. William Carlson, board-certified physician, on a FirstCall video visit LIVE VISIT
Dr. Erik PetersenBoard-Certified ER Physician
★★★★★Loved by Athens families
Avg ER wait
Athens — avg ER wait ~3–4 hrsU.S. average ~2.7 hrs in the ERPanama City ~3–4 hrsMemphis ~3+ hrsOrlando ~3 hrsJacksonville ~3 hrsMobile ~3 hrsKnoxville ~3 hrsValdosta ~3 hrsSan Diego ~3 hrsKansas City ~2–4 hrsTampa Bay ~2–4 hrsAtlanta ~6 hrsSt. Louis ~5–6 hrsBirmingham ~3–6 hrsLos Angeles ~3–6 hrsSan Francisco ~3–5 hrsMiami ~4+ hrsNashville ~4 hrsDestin ~4 hrs1 in 4 ER patients wait 4+ hrs for a bedFirstCall: an ER doctor in minutes — flat $100approximate averages from public hospital data; actual waits vary
Athens — avg ER wait ~3–4 hrsU.S. average ~2.7 hrs in the ERPanama City ~3–4 hrsMemphis ~3+ hrsOrlando ~3 hrsJacksonville ~3 hrsMobile ~3 hrsKnoxville ~3 hrsValdosta ~3 hrsSan Diego ~3 hrsKansas City ~2–4 hrsTampa Bay ~2–4 hrsAtlanta ~6 hrsSt. Louis ~5–6 hrsBirmingham ~3–6 hrsLos Angeles ~3–6 hrsSan Francisco ~3–5 hrsMiami ~4+ hrsNashville ~4 hrsDestin ~4 hrs1 in 4 ER patients wait 4+ hrs for a bedFirstCall: an ER doctor in minutes — flat $100approximate averages from public hospital data; actual waits vary
$100
Flat-fee visit, every time
8a–8p
Open every day
Minutes
From sick to seen — no waiting room
21 states
Where our physicians are licensed

Why Athens chooses us

A real ER doctor — without the wait.

From Five Points to Eastside to Watkinsville, a trip to Piedmont Athens Regional or St. Mary's can mean hours in the waiting room. A $100 video visit gets you a board-certified ER physician in minutes.

Skip the waiting room

No lobby full of sick people, no long wait, no drive across town. See a board-certified ER physician from your couch, your office, or your dorm — anywhere in the Athens area.

One flat price — $100

No facility fees, no surprise bills, no insurance runaround. You know exactly what a visit costs before you book — and a week of follow-up messaging is included.

A real ER doctor, not a chatbot

Every visit is with a board-certified emergency physician — Dr. Petersen or Dr. Carlson — who listens, diagnoses, and treats. Not an app, not a nurse line.

The Athens ER reality

Georgia's ER wait crisis reaches Athens, too.

Across Georgia, ER leaders have called the wait times a crisis — and Athens isn't spared. Piedmont Athens Regional and St. Mary's can mean multi-hour waits, with minor problems seen last. A flat $100 FirstCall visit gets you a board-certified ER physician in minutes instead.

And it's getting worse everywhere. University of Michigan researchers found ER crowding at record highs: in recent years more than 1 in 4 admitted emergency patients waited 4+ hours just for a bed — and at the January 2022 peak, 40% waited 4+ hours and 6% waited a full day or more, with waits stuck at record levels for four straight years. (Michigan Medicine / Health Affairs.)
Check live ER wait times near you →

Sources: 11Alive reporting on Georgia ER wait times; publicly reported Athens-area ER wait times; University of Michigan / Michigan Medicine (national trend). Waits vary by hospital, day, and acuity.

What we treat

The everyday urgent stuff — handled by video

If it's urgent but not an emergency, there's a good chance we can treat it from your phone or laptop. A few of the most common reasons Athens calls us:

Colds, flu & sinus infections Sore throat & strep Urinary tract infections Pink eye Ear infections Rashes & skin issues Allergies Nausea, vomiting & diarrhea Dehydration Minor injuries Prescription refills

For life-threatening emergencies — chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, or stroke symptoms — call 911. Telehealth is for non-emergency urgent conditions.

How it works

From sick to seen in minutes

Book your visit

Request a visit online or call (850) 660-8680. No app to download, no account to create.

See an ER doctor

Connect by secure, HIPAA-compliant video with a board-certified emergency physician who listens and treats.

Pick up your script

We send your prescription electronically to the pharmacy nearest you, plus a week of follow-up messaging if you have questions.

Serving Athens & the area

Care across Athens — wherever you are

As long as you're physically in Georgia, you're covered. We care for patients across Athens, Clarke County, and the surrounding area.

Downtown Athens Five Points Normaltown Eastside Watkinsville Bogart Winterville Oconee County

Your prescription, your pharmacy

Find a pharmacy near you in Athens

After your video visit we send your prescription electronically to whichever pharmacy is most convenient for you. Enter your ZIP code (or use your location) to see the pharmacies closest to you and whether they're open now.

Or jump straight to a chain near you:

Already have a pharmacy you like? Just tell your doctor during the visit — we'll route your prescription there electronically, usually ready within the hour.

More than a one-time visit

Like how we practice? There's a deeper relationship waiting.

FirstCall Urgent Care is your first call when you're sick. But the same board-certified physicians also run FirstCall DPC — direct primary care where your doctor knows your name, answers your texts, and helps you stay ahead of problems instead of just reacting to them. Try us once for $100; if it clicks, we'll show you what ongoing care looks like.

Explore FirstCall DPC

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Can you see UGA students in Athens?
Yes. As long as you're physically in Georgia during the visit, we see students, staff, and Athens residents alike — from your dorm, apartment, or office — and send your prescription to a pharmacy near campus.
Is this an in-person clinic or a virtual visit?
It's 100% virtual. You see a board-certified ER physician by secure video from your phone, tablet, or computer — no clinic to drive to and no app to download.
How much does a visit cost?
Every visit is a flat $100. No membership, no insurance hassle, no facility fees or surprise bills.
Can you send a prescription to my Athens pharmacy?
Yes. After your video visit we send your prescription electronically to whichever pharmacy is closest to you — any CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Publix, or Kroger in the Athens area.
What can you treat by video?
Common urgent issues like colds, flu and sinus infections, sore throats and strep, UTIs, ear infections, pink eye, rashes, allergies, nausea, dehydration, minor injuries, and prescription needs. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.
What are your hours?
Visits are available every day, 8 AM–8 PM Central.
Do I need an app or a Zoom account?
No. The visit runs on secure, HIPAA-compliant video right in your browser — no download, no account. Every visit includes one week of follow-up messaging.

Ready when you are

Book your $100 visit

See a board-certified ER physician by video, every day 8 to 8. Pay your flat $100 and you'll pick your visit time next — we'll send your prescription to the pharmacy closest to you in Athens.

Pay $100 & Book Your Visit Call (850) 660-8680

Secure payment by Stripe. After payment, choose your time and complete a quick intake.

Money-back guarantee — if we can’t help you, your visit is refunded.