Where should I go for care?

Determining how you should handle a bout with flu-like symptoms or an injury that you’re unsure of its severity can leave you at an impasse. Where should I go to treat something like this?

In many instances, primary care is the best option due to its low cost relative to alternatives such as the emergency room or urgent care, but that won’t always be the case.

Primary care

Visiting your primary care physician is the best practice when your ailment is non-life-threatening or you are seeking routine/preventive care. Primary care physicians exist to manage your overall health; whether that be tracking medications, referring out to specialists, or clearing patients for surgery, we serve as the “one-stop shop” for your healthcare, and that’s intentional. Insurance plans typically charge their patients the cheapest co-pays for PCP visits relative to those tied to urgent care or emergency room visits.

But what if we aren’t available? Whether we’ve got a jam-packed schedule or you need immediate care over the weekend, there are still plenty of resources at your disposal.

24-hour care services

Many insurance plans include access to a round-the-clock telephone service where nurses will consult with you to determine the severity of your ailment and help you decide on the next steps of your care. Whether that be waiting a few days for a PCP appointment or seeking urgent care, using these services is an excellent bridge solution to ensure you are properly addressing your situation.

Urgent care & ER

If you have determined that you need immediate care when your PCP is not available or equipped to handle your case, then you can turn to one of two places: Urgent care is best for less severe conditions, while the emergency room should be reserved for life-threatening issues. If you believe you have a life-threatening illness or injury, call 9-1-1 immediately or go to the nearest ER, found here.

Otherwise, scheduling an appointment with your PCP will be the most cost-effective option to treat most ailments. Making sure you are informed on where to go for each health scenario you find yourself in will help you save both time and money, and could end up saving your life as well.