Emergency Room vs. Urgent Care vs. PCP vs. Telehealth

Cough, fever, muscle strain, pinkeye, sinus problems, sore throat, sprain, urinary tract infection DID YOU KNOW? N E W S L E T T E R When you're feeling sick or sustain an injury, your first instinct may be to head directly to the emergency room. But since the ER usually means long waits and high copays, you may want to consider your other options before heading to the hospital. If it's a weekday during office hours, it's worth calling your PCP to see if they have any availability to see you. They can diagnose and treat most issues during a scheduled time, and you'll only pay your office visit copay. If you have something you suspect is contagious, you may want to have a virtual visit through your healthcare provider to talk directly with a doctor or nurse, who can recommend treatment and even prescribe medicine that can help - 24/7. If your PCP is busy but you'd like to see someone in-person, pharmacy walk-in clinics are a great alternative. You may experience some wait time, but you'll still only pay a standard copay. Urgent care facilities are typically open 24/7, and can treat more serious issues like broken bones and sprains, without the high ER copay. The emergency room should be reserved for serious issues - like chest pain, head trauma, and shortness of breath. WHERE SHOULD YOU GO WHEN YOU NEED IMMEDIATE CARE? PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN VIRTUAL VISIT Cough, fever, pinkeye, sinus problems, sore throat, urinary tract infection WALK-IN CLINIC Cough, fever, muscle strain, pinkeye, sinus problems, sore throat, sprain, urinary tract infection URGENT CARE Broken bone, sprain EMERGENCY ROOM Broken bone, chest pain, shortness of breath, head trauma. WHERE TO GO?