Know Where to Go for Health Care When you get sick or injured,choosing where to go for health care may seem overwhelming. You have many options for care—including the emergency room (ER), urgent care, telehealth and primary care—and each plays a significant role in how quickly and affordably you can get help. Understanding which is best for your situation can empower you to lower your health care costs and confidently choose where to receive the most appropriate care. This article explains the different health care options available and helps you choose the right one based on your needs, cost and urgency. ERs and emergency departments are medical facilities designed to treat life-threatening injuries and illnesses that require immediate attention to prevent serious harm, long- term disability or death. A condition is considered an emergency when it may cause loss of life or permanent or severe disability if not treated immediately. Typically, when you arrive at an ER, a triage nurse checks your vital signs and assesses your symptoms to determine how urgently you need to be seen. Patients with more serious issues are treated first, meaning your wait time may be longer if your condition isn’t life ‑ threatening. Additionally, the cost of care in an ER is usually much higher than that for urgent care, telehealth or primary care. If you go to the ER for a condition other than an emergency, you may wait a long time and spend more than you would for an urgent care, telehealth or primary care visit. ER
You should go to the nearest ER when you experience a medical emergency, such as:
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Severe bleeding Chest pain or shortness of breath Severe abdominal pain Uncontrollable bleeding Severe allergic reactions Deep wounds or major burns Seizures Head or neck injuries Broken bones Paralysis
The ER can expedite care when you have a true life- threatening condition or severe or sudden symptoms that require immediate medical intervention. If additional care is needed after ER treatment, you may be admitted to the hospital or referred to another facility. Urgent care centers bridge the gap between ERs and primary care, offering prompt medical care for acute conditions. They are generally intended for health conditions that are not life- threatening but shouldn’t wait for a routine primary care appointment. Urgent care centers provide same-day treatment for minor injuries, sprains and strains, infections, fever, and vomiting. Most facilities take walk-ins, but many also offer appointments. Urgent Care
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