You’re injured or ill: Should you go to the emergency room? Or to an urgent care center? Or wait to see your doctor when their office opens? Here are some helpful tips for where to go for your medical conditions:
Your Doctor’s Office
- General health issues, such as earaches, headaches, mild asthma, skin rashes and sore throat
- Immunizations and screenings
- Routine checkups
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Urgent Care Center
- Animal bites
- Painful urination
- Fever and flu symptoms
- Simple fractures and sprains
- Infections
- Stitches
- Lacerations or wound care
- X-rays
- Minor burns
- Minor cuts
- Nosebleeds
Emergency Room (ER)
The ER is the place to go for serious or life-threatening conditions that might require treatment right away. The ER usually has higher costs than urgent care centers, and may have a longer wait time. Some examples of conditions that might require a trip to the ER include:
- Bleeding that won’t stop or coughing up blood
- Confusion
- Drug overdoses
- Head injury
- Seizures or loss of consciousness
- severe chest or abdominal pain
- Severe cuts and burns
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden change in vision
This is intended as general information and is not an inclusive list of medical problems that can be treated. Members are encouraged to consult with their primary care doctor when selecting health care providers and facilities. During a medical emergency, go to the nearest hospital or call 911.
