How to Choose Between the Doctor’s Office, Urgent Care, or Emergency Room

When you experience illness or injury, you want immediate relief. You deserve quick and comprehensive care, whether you break a bone or experience flu-like symptoms.

You usually have three primary options for health care treatment — your doctor’s office, a nearby urgent care center or a hospital emergency room. All three offer vital services, but vary by the specific conditions they treat. Learning more about the differences between urgent care, the emergency room or your doctor’s office can help you make the best decision for your situation.

What Is the Difference Between the ER and Urgent Care?

You might head to your nearest urgent care or emergency room if you experience severe pain or a medical emergency. These locations provide immediate care without prior appointments.

However, the two facility types have a few notable differences.

• Injury severity: Urgent care centers are for non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries. In contrast, the ER is for dangerous, potentially fatal medical emergencies. For instance, unstoppable bleeding or concussions would likely need ER attention, while urgent care centers better suit flu symptoms or general abdominal pain.
• Cost: The two options also vary by cost. If you choose the emergency room for treatment, you will likely face a larger bill than at an urgent care facility. Their higher costs are due to managing specialized equipment, staying stocked with supplies and compensating doctors and employees. In addition, emergency rooms are open 24/7. Round-the-clock hours require more resources and personnel to function efficiently. These factors increase prices for patients. Your health insurance type also impacts overall costs for both options.
• Accessibility: Emergency rooms are always open and ready to assist patients with life-threatening situations. However, you might experience extended wait times for treatment. ERs use a triage system to rank patients by their condition’s severity. Doctors quickly see people with critical conditions to resolve their issues as soon as possible. Wait times also vary by patient volume and available rooms. On the other hand, urgent care centers often have shorter holds because they don’t assist with life-threatening situations.

Understanding the urgent care vs. emergency room differences can help you make the best choice. You could also visit your primary care physician for assistance. Your doctor’s office probably has more limited hours than urgent care centers or the ER, making it more challenging to receive immediate care. You usually need to schedule an appointment beforehand, so it’s less optimal for severe situations.

When to Go to Urgent Care

Understanding when to visit each facility type can help you make the most informed decision about your condition. Urgent care centers are excellent options for non-life-threatening but urgent situations. Many areas have multiple urgent care locations, allowing access to large volumes of patients.

Urgent care facilities don’t require appointments and encourage walk-in visitors. They often have extended evening and weekend hours. If your doctor’s office isn’t open and you experience unpleasant symptoms, urgent care providers can resolve them.

Urgent care personnel can treat a wide range of conditions and symptoms, including:

• Abdominal pain
• Broken bones
• Cold or flu symptoms
• Ear infections
• Fevers
• Pulled muscles
• Rashes
• Sore throats
• Vomiting or nausea

If you’re debating when to go to urgent care vs. your doctor, consider your condition’s severity. Your doctor’s office typically needs advance notice of appointments because they manage many patients. You might be unable to see your doctor right away without a scheduled appointment, which is unhelpful for severe illnesses. If you’re in significant pain or think a professional should evaluate your condition by the end of the day, an urgent care center might be better.

When to Go to the Emergency Room

You should visit the emergency room if you or a loved one shows symptoms of a life-threatening condition. For example, seek emergency care if these symptoms or incidents occur:

• Unstoppable bleeding
• Seizures
• Severe chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Head injuries or concussions
• Loss of consciousness
• Paralysis
• Poisoning

Over 130 million Americans visit the ER yearly, which is over a third of the United States’ population. Emergency rooms have the tools and equipment to address acute needs, making them your best option for severe conditions. They have the necessary screening materials to diagnose your condition and the specialized tools for resolution. And their 24/7 schedule allows you to receive care at any time of day.

When dealing with sudden pain, you might wonder whether you should go to urgent care or the ER. Consider whether you need assistance within the next hour. If you have a mild illness, you’re probably better off going to urgent care or your doctor’s office. Emergency room visits can cost up to 10 times more than an urgent care trip, so it’s best to visit the ER only in life-threatening situations.

If you have any of the above symptoms, seek the emergency room immediately. Prioritize resolving your symptoms over concerns about expenses.

When to Go to Your Doctor

Visiting your doctor’s office is another option for health care treatment. Seeing your doctor allows for a more personalized visit. They know more about your health history and can instantly view your medical records, which is often more comforting for patients. Doctors can also arrange the proper tests or prescriptions to improve your condition.

It can be more cost-effective to see your doctor because your insurance might cover a significant portion of the appointment cost. Common reasons to visit your doctor include:

• Sinus pain
• Flu or cold symptoms
• Cuts or wounds
• Migraine headaches
• Persistent stomach issues
• Back pain

These conditions are concerning, but don’t require immediate attention. Instead, you can schedule an appointment for the upcoming days or weeks. Your doctor can also direct you to follow-up care or answer any lingering questions.

Get a Quote From Health for California Today

Choosing between health care options can feel confusing or stressful. Understanding your options assists you with making the most informed decision for your needs. Once you’ve received care, your health insurance is crucial for affording the expense.

At Health for California, we’re committed to helping residents find the best insurance plan. We can guide you through the selection process by providing quick quotes and comparison charts. Whether you’re uninsured or looking for a new plan, our expert team helps you find the ideal solution.

To get started with Health for California, request a quote today.