Physicians Immediate Care (PIC) was founded in early 1987 by a group of emergency physicians under the leadership of John J. Koehler, M.D.  Physicians Immediate Care clinics operate on a walk-in basis, seven days a week, on average 10 to 12 hours a day. Appointments are not required. The target urgent care customer needs medical attention today but does not need hospital emergency room services.

Focusing solely on episodic problems, practitioners do not provide long term management of chronic diseases. Patients with chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease or hypertension are referred to primary care physicians or specialists who can provide continuity of care.