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When you are sick or injured, it's good to know what kind of care you need and where to get it. For example, sometimes you need to get care soon — like for a minor sprain or sinus infection—but it's not an emergency. These are called urgent situations. They may not need treatment right away, but they should be checked within 24 to 48 hours. Then there are situations where you should go to an emergency room immediately — like if you have a severe fever or violent vomiting. Knowing the difference can help you get the right care when you need it and may also save you money.
Remember that if you’ve got 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. Examples of issues that can be treated here include:
- Minor injuries and cuts
- Backaches
- Sore throats and earaches
- Frequent or severe coughs
- Frequent urination or a burning sensation when urinating
Emergency care is for a medical or psychiatric condition that requires medical attention right away to prevent serious harm to your health. Examples include:
- Severe, persistent bleeding
- Major 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, going to urgent care instead of the emergency room can help make sure you get the right care at the right time — and may also save you time and money. Here are 4 reasons why:
- The right care at the right time. Get the care you need for your illness or injury.
- Shorter wait times. You’ll usually get care faster than in the emergency department, which treats seriously sick and injured patients first.
- Convenient hours. Many of our urgent care centers are open evenings, weekends, and holidays — walk-ins welcome.
- Lower out-of-pocket costs. You typically pay less for an urgent care visit than for an emergency department visit.
To learn more, visit our page to find care options.
*If you believe you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. For the complete definition of an emergency medical condition, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or other coverage documents.