Few things in life are more scary than a sudden illness or injury. The situation becomes even scarier if the accident or illness occurs outside of working hours when it is impossible to see your regular doctor. It can be easy to panic in these situations, but staying calm is critical to getting the best possible care. You will have to choose between visiting the emergency room or an immediate care center quickly. Read on for some tips on choosing between these two options so that when the time comes, you’ll know what to do.

evaluate the options

Emergency rooms are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to handle life-threatening emergencies. Once your condition stabilizes, you will likely be discharged to the care of your regular doctor. Many insurance plans will cover a portion of emergency care, but you may still have a deductible or copay for the visit. It’s crucial to note that many health plans won’t pay for emergency room visits if they determine the cause isn’t a “true emergency.” While this shouldn’t deter you from going to the ER, it is something to consider when weighing your options.

Immediate care centers have extended hours, but are not open 24 hours a day. They are equipped to treat minor medical illnesses and trauma and are prepared to treat less serious conditions that may arise outside of business hours. Your copay or deductible is likely to be significantly less than for an emergency room visit. Most health insurance plans include these facilities in their networks.

how to choose

A good rule of thumb is that if you are ever worried enough to consider going to the emergency room, do so. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Still, these are some of the conditions that warrant a visit to the ER:

– severe chest pain, especially if accompanied by sweating or shortness of breath
– persistent shortness of breath
– severe pain, especially in the abdomen
– Fainting
– slurred speech, confusion or altered mental status
– weakness or paralysis
– high fever in newborns
– head and eye injuries
– persistent bleeding
– seizures

Immediate care clinics can handle a variety of illnesses or conditions that are not necessarily life-threatening. Some examples include:

– fevers without rashes
– minor trauma, such as sprains
– pain when urinating
– diarrhea
– sore throat/earache
– vomiting
– small cuts or scratches

Timeouts

Keep in mind that if you visit the ER without a condition that is considered life-threatening, you may face a long wait time as patients are treated in order of urgency. It may be faster to visit an immediate care center. While you wait at either facility, you may be able to call a 24-hour nurse line, a service offered by many health insurers. These professionals will often be able to direct you to the correct facility.

Never take chances with your health. It is better to make a decision and go for help right away than to sit down and try to decide which center to go to. Following your instinct cannot be overridden. If something seems really serious, go to the emergency room. If not, you can still expect excellent care at an urgent care clinic.