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Urgent care centers are popping up everywhere. And walk-in clinics are in drugstores and supermarkets. That makes it easier than ever to get the care you need when you need it. But how do you know if it’s OK to wait a day or two for an appointment with your doctor? Or whether you should go to a walk-in or urgent care facility — or rush to the ER?
Each one offers a different level of care and expertise. Understanding the differences between your health care facility options can help you make the best decision. The key is to think about the type of treatment you need. The ER is for serious, sudden problems like chest pain, trouble breathing or heavy bleeding. For other health issues, you can often get help faster somewhere else.
The right choice can save you time and money. And it can help ensure you find the health care you may need. Here’s a simple overview of where to go and when.
When to see your primary care provider
When to see your primary care provider
First and foremost, experts say it’s important to see your primary care provider (PCP) at least once a year for a checkup. It’s necessary even if you feel fine. “A PCP should be seen at least yearly for well visits,” says Paul Coyne. He’s the senior vice president and chief nurseexecutive at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. Your PCP can:
- Discuss any ongoing concerns about your health
- Coordinate care between different specialists
- Provide optimal management for your individual health
In addition to routine physicals, your PCP should be the first to call when:
- You want a prescription refilled
- You need help managing a chronic condition
- You’ve come down with a bug
“As long as a patient isn’t in critical condition or very ill, it is always good to try to get ahold of your primary care doctor first, if possible,” says Phillip Kadaj, MD. He’s an internist in Midland, Michigan. “Not only does your primary care doctor know you, they may be able to see you instead of going to urgent care, the ER or a walk-in clinic. Good primary care relationships have been shown to reduce costs and improve care for both patients and health systems.”
One common problem, though: Doctor offices are usually open only on weekdays during business hours. That’s why many doctors have an after-hours answering service. If you have a pressing health concern at night or over the weekend, you can leave a message. You’ll get a call back from an on-call health care worker.
When to go to a walk-in clinic
When to go to a walk-in clinic
As the name suggests, most walk-in clinics don’t require an appointment. They see patients on a first-come, first-served basis. The wait time will depend on how many other people walked in ahead of you. You might be called within 15 minutes or have to wait a couple of hours. So it’s a good idea to check with the clinic to see if an appointment is recommended.
It’s also good to know that walk-in clinics might not have a doctor on staff. They’re usually staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants who can:
- Treat minor injuries
- Diagnose common ailments
- Check blood pressure
- Give immunizations (such as the flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine)
- Prescribe or refill medication
Many walk-in clinics, like a MinuteClinic® location, are located in or near pharmacies. That makes picking up your medications very easy. Some walk-in clinics also have a specialty area, such as optometry, orthopedics or mental health.
Do you have a cold, sore throat or sprained elbow, and you can’t get an appointment with your doctor? If so, a walk-in clinic might be the most convenient and affordable alternative. But if you have a severe injury or serious illness, a walk-in clinic will probably not be equipped to handle your care.
When to go to an urgent care center
When to go to an urgent care center
In some ways, urgent care centers are a lot like walk-in clinics. You can walk in without an appointment. Many of them also allow you to book an appointment. You’re also more likely to be treated faster at an urgent care center. But unlike walk-in clinics, urgent care centers do have a doctor on staff. And they have more capabilities in terms of diagnoses and treatments. For example, they may have X-ray machines and can treat broken wrists or ankles.
In addition to broken bones, you can go to an urgent care center for:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rashes
- Fever
- Cuts that require stitches
“The urgent care is one step below the ER,” Dr. Kadaj says. “They generally have providers that are well-trained to handle a variety of conditions. But they may not have the equipment available to diagnose and treat things like heart attacks, strokes or major trauma.”
Coyne stresses that urgent care “should not be confused with an emergency room, as it is not meant to care for true emergencies.”
When to go to the emergency room
When to go to the emergency room
“If you think that your condition might cause death or disability in the very near future, please go to an emergency room,” says Grace Chen O’Neil, MD. She’s a board-certified emergency medicine physician. Same goes if you think you will probably have to have surgery or be admitted to the hospital for the treatment of a condition, says Dr. O’Neil.
Go to the emergency room immediately if you have:
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Sudden changes in mental ability
- Slurred speech
- Uncontrollable bleeding
- A major broken bone
- A head injury
- Sudden loss of vision
- Seizures
When to call 911
When to call 911
If you’re in a life-threatening situation or are alone and not sure you can drive yourself to the ER, call 911. For example, if you have chest pain, call 911 — it could signal a heart attack. Same goes if you’re having any symptoms of stroke, including:
- Facial drooping
- Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms or legs
- Sudden difficulty with vision
- Sudden confusion or difficulty speaking
- Sudden loss of coordination or balance
If any of these symptoms happen, “even if in the company of others, it is always safer to call 911, as paramedics can begin treatment immediately,” Coyne says. “In a cardiac arrest, this can mean the difference between survival or death.”
But if you’re not having a true emergency, there are several good reasons to avoid the ER. For one thing, ERs take patients in order of severity. So you could end up waiting a very long time to be seen. It’s also not a good use of emergency doctors’ time and equipment.
Still need help deciding where to go for care?
Still need help deciding where to go for care?
Watch this short video to learn more about where to go for the care you need. If you still aren’t sure where to go, there are resources that can help. Call our toll-free 24-Hour Nurse Line* at 1-800-556-1555 ${tty} to get more information about where you can seek treatment.
In case of emergency, call 911 or your local emergency hotline or go directly to an emergency care facility. This message is for informational purposes only, is not medical advice and is not intended to be a substitute for proper medical care provided by a physician. Information is believed to be accurate as of the production date; however, it is subject to change. For more information about Aetna plans, refer to Aetna.com/Medicare.
Walk-in clinic. Urgent care center. Emergency room.
Know where to go for the care you need.
Where’s the best place to find fast, effective care for a sprained ankle? What about a bad cold? Or recurring lower back pain?
Choosing the appropriate place to go for treatment is a big part of receiving the most efficient care.
A walk-in clinic is usually a good option to consider for minor illnesses and injuries.
These walk-in neighborhood clinics treat health issues like cold and flu symptoms, sore and strep throat, earache, or allergies.
A walk-in clinic, like the MinuteClinic inside many CVS pharmacy locations, Walgreens healthcare clinic, or Kroger’s The Little Clinic can treat these types of issues and help you feel better fast.
Most are staffed by certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants, accept walk-ins, and are open seven days a week.
But what if you have a more serious, but not life-threatening, situation?
Then you should go to an urgent care center. Urgent care centers can treat things like sprains and fractures, cuts that require stitches, or lower back and joint pain.
Urgent care centers are also staffed by certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants, as well as other licensed practitioners.
Many also offer additional services to what you would find in a walk-in clinic, like imaging, X-rays, and lab services on site.
Walk-in clinics and urgent care centers can handle many health problems.
But you should go to an emergency room if you experience intense and unexpected symptoms like chest pain, difficulty breathing or severe bleeding.
Emergency rooms have a wider range of specialists and treatment options. So they are equipped to handle more serious issues. If you still aren’t sure where to go and want to get more information about available options, call our toll-free, 24-7 nurse line, at 1-800-556-1555 ${tty}.
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