Should I go to my primary care office? Do I need to go to the emergency room? What exactly does an urgent care center cover? In the moment, making the split-second decisions on where to go can be difficult. We’re here to help explain the differences and what best to choose for life’s situations.

Primary Care

Taking a visit to your primary care physician is best for your long-term health and conditions. Your doctor knows your health history, which makes them best equipped to handle ongoing situations. Some primary care doctors will have a Telemedicine service to help you get seen quickly and reduce the risk of exposure for some ill patients. 

Primary care is also great for most conditions that require testing or a referral to a specialist. Sometimes you need quick non-emergency medical attention. Primary care doctors usually require an appointment, and you may have to wait a few days to be seen. Many illnesses and injuries benefit from quick medical treatment. This is where urgent care shines.

Urgent Care

Urgent care is excellent in that you can get seen the same day as your need arises; after hours and on weekends. When you require care urgently, but you don’t have a life-threatening emergency. Most illnesses can be handled by urgent care if they don’t require testing or extensive medical history knowledge to diagnose and treat.

If you suspect that you have a severe sprain, break, or require stitches, urgent care can give you the quick treatment you need without the emergency room’s wait or price. Most urgent care offices will have a Telemedicine service available as well. With Telemedicine, a medical professional can get seen from home right on your phone or computer. 

However, if your injuries are life or limb-threatening, don’t hesitate to go to the ER instead.

Emergency Room

The ER is best used for life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Emergency rooms are equipped to handle anything with faculties, equipment, and expertise. A broken finger can undoubtedly be treated by urgent care. An arm that is broken in several places is best handled in the emergency room, so you can immediately get the level of care you need.

While life-threatening concerns will be seen immediately, anything non-life-threatening may end up waiting to be seen for quite a time. Emergency rooms are required to provide treatment regardless of ability to pay; whereas doctors’ offices are allowed to request proof of insurance and proof of payment ahead of time. This leads to more people heading to the ER for non-emergency treatment because they can’t afford the upfront office fees.

No matter the need, any medical professional will do all they can to assist you in the circumstance. Don’t hesitate when the need arises. Visit Quick Care Med if you need urgent care, or Click Here to schedule a telemedicine appointment.

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