{"id":10449,"date":"2024-08-19T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-19T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/?p=10449"},"modified":"2024-08-16T22:24:17","modified_gmt":"2024-08-16T22:24:17","slug":"urgent-care-or-er","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/health-insurance\/urgent-care-or-er\/","title":{"rendered":"Urgent Care or Emergency Room? Where To Go for Treatment\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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<\/a>. Picking the right option can help ensure you get the treatment you need without wasting valuable time or money. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deciphering the Differences: Urgent Care and Emergency Rooms<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Urgent Care Centers<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typical Conditions Managed at Urgent Care Facilities<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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: <\/p>\n\n\n\n