Content added June 25, 2025
Whenever an illness or injury occurs, you need to decide how serious it is and how soon to get medical care. This will help you choose whether it is best to:
Call or contact your health care provider
Go to an urgent care clinic
Go to an emergency department right away
It pays to think about the right place to go. Treatment in an emergency department can cost 2 to 3 times more than the same care in your provider's office. In addition, your health insurance may require you to pay a higher copayment for care in an emergency department. Think about this and the other issues listed below when deciding.
When to use the emergency room - adult: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
Content added June 25, 2025
If you are not sure what to do, and you don't have one of the serious conditions listed above, call your health care provider. If the office is not open, your phone call may be forwarded to a nurse or other provider who is on call for the clinic. Describe your symptoms to the provider who answers your call, and find out what you should do.
Your provider or health insurance company may also offer a nurse telephone advice hotline. Call this number and tell the nurse your symptoms and ask for advice on what to do.
If you don’t have a health care provider or health insurance, call one of the following sliding fee scale clinics and ask for an appointment.
Content added June 25, 2025
When you have a problem, do not wait too long to get medical care. If your problem is not life threatening or risking disability, but you are concerned and you cannot see your provider soon enough, go to an urgent care clinic.
The kinds of problems an urgent care clinic can deal with include:
Common mild illnesses, such as colds, the flu, earaches, sore throats, migraines, low-grade fevers, and limited rashes
Minor injuries, such as sprains, back pain, minor cuts and burns, minor broken bones, or minor eye injuries