When to call 911 or go to the ER
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.
When to use the emergency room - adult: National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine