If you’re having a health issue and feel like you need to get care right away, you usually have two options: the emergency room or a same-day urgent care clinic. But before you head out, it’s important to have a good understanding of urgent care vs. ER visits. You want to make sure you get the right level of treatment while also getting the greatest value out of your health insurance. Picking the right option can help ensure you get the treatment you need without wasting valuable time or money.
Deciphering the Differences: Urgent Care and Emergency Rooms
There is a difference between ER and urgent care, even though they both offer same-day support if you’re dealing with a medical issue. Essentially, they’re designed to deal with different types of conditions.
Emergency rooms are typically part of larger hospitals, and they’re meant to address serious injuries and illnesses. If you need immediate care that can’t wait, the emergency room is equipped to get you the treatment you need right away. For example, you may go to the ER with severe chest pain or a broken limb.
Urgent care centers are same-day clinics. If you can’t get in with a doctor, you can go to one of these clinics for basic diagnostic services and treatment. For example, you might be able to go to your local quick-care facility to get stitches or get an antibiotic prescription to treat a common infection, such as strep throat.
Understanding Urgent Care Centers
Also known as minute clinics or minor care clinics, urgent care centers provide you with treatment similar to that of your primary doctor. However, they often have extended hours to accommodate after-hours health needs. They also have the resources to take in walk-ins to help patients who may not have a regular doctor or who aren’t able to get an appointment.
Typical Conditions Managed at Urgent Care Facilities
Doctors at minute clinics are trained to work with a wide variety of illnesses and injuries. They can diagnose you with basic conditions, take scans and order labs, write prescriptions, and offer a limited range of treatments. Some reasons you might go to a walk-in facility include:
- Cuts
- Rashes
- Potential urinary tract infections
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Vomiting or gastrointestinal issues
- Shortness of breath
- Joint sprains
When Urgency Calls for an ER Visit
Emergency medicine exists to address critical conditions that could pose a major risk if you don’t take care of them quickly. If you’re concerned that you might be having a medical emergency, it’s time to go to the ER. That way, you can get immediate assistance if you need medication, surgery, or other treatment right away.
Key Indicators for Emergency Room Necessity
There aren’t any official guidelines for when you need to go to the hospital instead of a standard walk-in facility. However, there are a few symptoms that indicate critical issues that may need emergency treatment:
- Inhaling or ingesting a toxic substance
- Severe head injuries
- Severe chest pain
- Severe head pain
- Loss of sensation or paralysis
- Heavy bleeding
- Deep wounds
- Trouble breathing after an allergic reaction
Ultimately, it’s important to trust your gut and use your best judgment when deciding which facility to use.
What To Expect at an Emergency Room
When you get to the ER, your experience can vary depending on your condition. If the staff determines that you need immediate intervention, you may see a doctor right away for scans, tests, or treatment. Otherwise, you may have to fill out some forms and wait first. Then, you’ll head to an exam room for diagnosis. Your healthcare providers will determine if you need treatment right away at the hospital or if they can provide you with non-urgent resources.
Beyond the Obvious: Other Factors To Consider
When picking a healthcare facility, there are a few other details to think about. Although your symptoms and their urgency should be the number one factor, keep these other considerations in mind.
Considerations of Cost and Insurance
Typically, ER visits will be more expensive than urgent care visits. That’s why it’s important not to immediately go to the hospital if you have a minor issue, like a cut or a cough. If you think you might be having a heart attack, however, you should focus on getting treatment as fast as possible instead of trying to cut costs.
In situations where you have time to check your health insurance coverage before going, check your co-pays and deductibles to estimate your potential costs ahead of time. It’s also helpful to see which facilities are on your plan and whether urgent care is covered by your insurance. Many insurers today have a helpful number you can call to ask which option is best for your situation and the cost of each.
Keep in mind that you have the right to receive treatment at a hospital if you have an emergency, so the hospital won’t turn you away if you don’t have insurance or money to pay for treatment. However, you will still be responsible for your medical bills afterward, so make sure to plan ahead and set up a health insurance plan before you get sick.
Accessibility and Wait Times — Planning Ahead
If you walk into either a hospital or clinic, you may end up waiting. Typically, ERs will have longer wait times, especially if your issue isn’t life-threatening. At walk-in clinics, you might get seen right away or have to wait for a doctor to become available. Some facilities allow you to check in online or even make a same-day appointment to help reduce wait times.
Alternatives Beyond Urgent Care and ER
There are plenty of other ways to get healthcare outside of same-day options, like hospitals and minute clinics. Here are some options to explore:
- Telemedicine: You may be able to connect with healthcare providers online by signing up for a telehealth appointment. One of the main benefits of telemedicine is that many providers have same-day availability for online appointments and you may not have to leave your home.
- Retail clinics: Sometimes, you can find walk-in clinics at popular retail locations. These facilities are designed to provide fast, convenient treatment for minor issues only.
- Primary care physicians: Scheduling an appointment with a primary care doctor is often the cheapest way to get healthcare, but you may have to wait to get an appointment.
- Pharmacists: Talking with a pharmacist may help you find over-the-counter solutions for basic ailments.
- Mental health hotlines: If you’re having a mental health crisis, you can call a help hotline for support. Depending on your situation, they may direct you to the ER or offer other solutions.
Common health insurance questions often revolve around coverage for these alternative healthcare options, so it’s wise to check your policy beforehand.
Make Sure You Have Health Insurance Before You Need It
Even if you’re completely healthy, you never know when you might have a medical issue that needs treatment. Having a good health plan can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars if you need to go in for same-day testing and treatment.
At Freeway Insurance, we can help you find a healthcare plan that makes treatment affordable for you. Check us out online for a quote, call 800-777-5620, or even head to your closest Freeway Insurance office to start exploring your healthcare insurance options.
