​​​​​​​​​​Urgent care or emergency care?

Where should you go when the unexpected happens? Knowing the difference between primary care, urgent care and emergency care can save you time and money and help you feel better fast. Choosing the right level of care is up to you.

If you or a loved one has difficulty breathing, symptoms consistent with stroke or heart attack, or a life- or limb-threatening condition, call 911 or go to a nearby emergency department immediately.

Primary care

Your primary care provider can be a good choice for some common illnesses and injuries that come on suddenly – as long as you can get an appointment quickly. Some advantages of seeing your primary care provider are:

• They know about your chronic conditions or daily medications
• They have records of your entire medical history
• You have an established trusting relationship with them

Not sure whether you should seek care immediately? Calling your primary care provider and asking their opinion could point you in the right direction.

Don’t have a primary care provider? Use our online search to find a doctor near you that meets your needs.

Urgent care

Urgent care clinics treat non-life-threatening medical issues that could become worse if not treated quickly. This care is available for:

• Medical issues that occur before or after your primary care provider’s normal business hours
• When you don’t have an established primary care provider
• When your regular provider isn’t available soon enough

Find an urgent care clinic near you.

Advantages of urgent care

Staff at urgent care centers can perform X-rays. They can quickly access results from lab testing for illnesses such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), strep throat, flu, RSV and COVID. Other advantages are:

• Quicker access to care for non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries
• Lower cost than an emergency department
• No appointment necessary
• Streamlined processes reduce wait times
• Extended hours nights and weekends

Emergency department

Emergency care is available 24/7 for serious medical conditions. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for life- or limb-threatening medical conditions such as:

• Broken bones protruding from the skin
• Chest pain
• Coughing or vomiting blood
• Difficulty breathing
• Drug overdose or poisoning
• Extremely high fever
• Eye injuries or loss of vision
• Head or neck injuries
• Poisoning or drug overdose
• Seizures, fainting or unconsciousness
• Serious burns or wounds
• Severe cold or flu symptoms
• Severe stomach pain
• Severe trauma
• Stroke symptoms such as blurry vision, slurred speech, confusion, severe headache, and numbness or weakness on one side of the body
• Sudden dizziness, weakness, or loss of coordination or balance
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy

Infants and young children may require emergency care for some medical issues that wouldn’t be an issue for an older child or adult.

Find an emergency department near you.

Call your primary care provider’s office as soon as possible after an emergency care or urgent care visit so they can help you schedule a follow-up appointment and assist you with any follow-up care.