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Know Where to Go!
Where Should I Go? Sometimes, it can be difficult to know where to draw the line when it comes to choosing if you should go to the ER, urgent care, or your primary doctor. Emergency Room A visit to the ER is the most expensive type of outpatient care and should only occur if there is a true emergency or a life-threatening illness or injury.
Examples of conditions that should be addressed in the ER include, but aren’t limited to:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Uncontrollable bleeding
- Poisoning or suspected poisoning
Urgent Care
Urgent care centers handle nonemergency conditions that require immediate attention— those for which delaying treatment could cause serious problems or discomfort. Sprains, ear infections and high fevers are conditions that can be treated in urgent care centers. Urgent care visits are less expensive than ER visits, but are typically more expensive than a visit to your primary care doctor.
Doctor’s Office
For most non-emergency illnesses or injuries, the best choice for medical care may be a visit to your primary care physician. Your regular doctor knows you best, has your medical history, and has the expertise to diagnose and treat most conditions. In addition, going to the doctor’s office is usually the most cost-effective option.
Teladoc (virtual)
Teladoc gives you round-the-clock access to U.S. board-certified doctors from home or on the go. Call or connect online or use the Teladoc mobile app for affordable medical care when needed. See the above Teladoc information for more details.
See Take Action flyer for more details.
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