La Plata, Md. — The University of Maryland Medical System opened a new urgent care facility in Charles County on March 9, 2026, expanding access to non-emergency medical services for local residents. UM Urgent Care at La Plata, located at 9405 Chesapeake St. Suite 2-B in the Potomac Shopping Center off southbound Route 301 across from Applebees and Safeway, operates seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for walk-in visits serving adults and pediatric patients over 12 months old. Telemedicine appointments are available daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The centers phone number is 240-349-3108.
The facility complements existing UMMS services at UM Charles Regional Medical Center and its affiliated medical group, addressing gaps between primary care and emergency room visits. Providers handle ailments such as fevers, rashes, allergies, asthma, headaches, eye injuries, sprains and broken bones. Onsite X-ray, EKG and lab testing support preoperative exams, occupational health and sports physicals. Referrals to primary or specialty care are offered as needed.
We are proud to expand UM Urgent Care into Charles County, said Scott Burger, DO, chief medical officer of UM Urgent Care. This new location improves access to high-quality, convenient care for Marylanders close to home. Our team is dedicated not only to helping patients get healthy quickly, but also to ensuring seamless follow-up with primary care or specialty providers when needed. Through this effort, we aim to strengthen the long-term health and well-being of the community.
This marks the 12th UM Urgent Care site within UMMS, a not-for-profit system with 11 hospitals and over 150 locations across 13 Maryland counties. UMMS partners with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore, to deliver academic-affiliated care.
Charles County, with a population of about 171,973 as of 2023 estimates, faces health care access challenges common in Southern Maryland. The regions primary care physician ratio stands at 2483:1, more than double the statewide average of 1179:1, indicating potential shortages in routine care providers. Uninsured rates hover at 6.6% in the county, higher than the regional 4.3%, while poverty affects 7.8% of residents. Affordable housing availability is limited at 41.7%, and 9.8% lack a high school diploma, factors that can exacerbate health disparities.
The Charles County Department of Healths 2026-2031 strategic plan prioritizes service delivery and continuous quality improvement to meet community needs and drive lasting impact. Recent assessments emphasize data-driven approaches and partnerships to reduce disparities and promote preventive care, aligning with the new centers focus on convenient, affordable services.
Local officials have highlighted the need for expanded facilities amid growing demands. Similar efforts in the region, such as MedStar Healths urgent care at 500 Charles St. in La Plata, which operates similar hours, underscore a push to alleviate emergency room overcrowding and improve timely care.
UMMS reported contributing over $400 million in community benefits statewide last fiscal year, including uncompensated care and health improvement initiatives. In Charles County, where chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease are prevalent, the new site aims to support preventive and follow-up care to enhance long-term outcomes.
Patients can expect cashless payments via debit, credit or checks, with co-pays due at service. Insurance acceptance details are available on the UMMS website. The opening occurs as Maryland health enrollment rose 3.38% for 2026 plans, with Charles County seeing a 2.94% increase to 4,659 enrollees, reflecting ongoing efforts to broaden coverage amid subsidy changes.
As Southern Maryland adapts to workforce changes and federal funding boosts, such as $168 million for state health efforts, the facility positions UMMS to address evolving needs in rural and suburban areas.