MedExpress Urgent Care opens first Rochester clinic

Rochester's first MedExpress clinic began welcoming patients this week.

The urgent-care center, located at 5507 Chateau Road Northwest, provides walk-in treatment for everyday illnesses and injuries — such as colds, flu and ear infections — plus more advanced services, such as X-rays, IVs, stitches and treatment for broken bones, sprains and strains.

MedExpress also offers basic wellness and prevention services, including routine physicals and immunizations. The clinic is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily to patients of any age, with no appointment necessary. According to a news release, MedExpress "accepts all major insurance plans and offers affordable pricing for patients without insurance."

The new facility puts MedExpress, which is owned by UnitedHealth Group's Optum division, in competition with Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center. Mayo and OMC each operate two walk-in clinics in Rochester.

Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth Group acquired MedExpress in 2015. At the time, MedExpress operated about 140 clinics.  It has since expanded rapidly and now has nearly 250 locations in 19 states.

Here in Minnesota, MedExpress has added clinics throughout the Twin Cities metro, as well as in cities like Mankato, Duluth — and now Rochester.