CareSpot, a Nashville-based urgent care provider, opened three locations in the Austin area Feb. 18 with a goal of adding more over the next couple of years.

CareSpot President and CEO Michael Klein said the Austin market appeared to be underserved for people age 19–49 years who are looking for convenient health care options.

"The demographic group we serve most of the time doesn't have primary care physicians," he said. "But if they have a cold, flu, sprain or family with an emergency situation and both parents work, that increasing need puts pressure on primary care physicians who won't have extended hours."

CareSpot opened locations at the Tech Ridge Center by H-E-B, 501 Canyon Ridge Drive, in Austin and two locations in Round Rock, at 3750 Gattis School Road and 7401 O'Connor Blvd. The provider plans to open a fourth Austin-area location in August or September in the Southpark Meadows shopping center, 401 W. Slaughter Lane.

Klein said CareSpot locations are typically in convenient, retail-oriented centers. There are also 30 centers in Florida.

He said he believes the Austin market will be able to handle a new urgent care provider because CareSpot has services no other providers offer.

He said patients can make an appointment online before visiting CareSport or select "visit now" to reserve their place in line instead of waiting at the facility. He said the goal is to have a person in and out of the facility in less than 50 minutes.

Each CareSpot has seven to eight exam rooms and a procedure room. Physicians can treat flu symptoms, sprains, cuts, bruises, burns and other minor illnesses as well as do X-rays, physicals, health screenings and immunizations. The centers are open seven days a week from 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

"Urgent care plays an important role between a primary care doctor, in most cases, and emergency rooms," said Paul Dickison, CareSpot vice president of marketing.