Urgent Care vs Emergency Care
Urgent Care vs Emergency Care: Guidelines and Tips
Can you tell when you need an emergency room visit or if you simply need to be taken care of urgently (urgent care)?
An URGENT CARE condition is one that needs attention generally the same day or the next day but not emergently. Examples of this could be:
- Minor lacerations
- Sprains
- Sore Throat
- Earaches
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Migraine headache
- Muscle strains/backaches
These types of conditions are best treated in a primary care office or an urgent care center. The cost, including out of pocket cost, will generally be much less and the wait typically will be much shorter. Check with your physician's office - many have extended weeknight and weekend hours available just for urgent care needs.
An EMERGENCY is best treated in an emergency room. Examples of possible emergency conditions could be:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Broken bones
- Severe bleeding
- Sudden vision loss or eye injury
In an emergency, 911 should be called or the patient should be taken to an emergency room, depending on the situation. Many insurance companies (including Scott & White Health Plan) have preferred emergency rooms and if the condition allows, they should be used in order to keep the member's and the plan's cost to a minimum.
Scott and White Health Plan also has a 24 hour VitalCare Nurse Advice Line to assist members. The nurse may be reached by calling 877-505-7947.