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It's good to know what kind of care you need and where to get it when you’re sick or injured. Sometimes you need to get care soon, but it's not an emergency, like for a minor sprain. Then there are times when you should go to an emergency room immediately. For example, if you have a severe fever or violent vomiting. Knowing the difference between urgent care and emergency care can help you get the right care when you need it. And it may also save you money.
Remember that if you have questions or need advice, we can help you find care options that will work best for you, including 24/7 care by phone.
If you think you or your family member has a medical or mental health emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.*
Urgent care versus emergency care
Urgent care is for conditions that aren't an emergency but require medical attention soon, usually within 24 to 48 hours. Urgent care needs include sore throats and minor cuts. Many urgent care locations are open when your regular doctor’s office is not, like on weekends and in the evening.
Emergency care is for a medical or psychiatric condition that requires medical attention right away to prevent serious harm to your health. This can include chest pain or pressure. You get emergency care at hospital emergency rooms, which are open 24 hours a day.
When to go to urgent care
Many non-emergency conditions can be treated at urgent care. These can include:
- Minor injuries and cuts
- Backaches
- Sore throats and earaches
- Upper respiratory symptoms
- Frequent urination or a burning sensation when urinating
When to go to the emergency room
You should go to the emergency room to treat conditions that need immediate care. Some examples include:
- Severe, persistent bleeding
- Broken bones and head injuries
- Severe stomach pain that comes on suddenly
- Decrease or loss of consciousness
- Severe shortness of breath
4 reasons to go to urgent care
For minor injuries and illnesses, it’s best to go to urgent care. It can help you get the right care at the right time. Plus, it may also save you time and money. Here are 4 reasons to choose urgent care instead of emergency care:
- Access to the care you need. Get the right kind of care for your illness or injury. Urgent care offers many services, like X-rays and basic lab tests.
- Shorter wait times. You’ll usually get care faster than in the emergency department, which treats seriously sick and injured patients first. Emergency room wait times can sometimes be hours during busy times.
- Convenient hours. Many of our urgent care centers are open evenings, weekends, and holidays — and walk-ins are welcome.
- Lower costs. You typically pay less out-of-pocket costs for an urgent care visit than for an emergency department visit.
To learn more, visit our page to find care options.