When you need to see a doctor now: choosing between an ER or urgent care center.
When you need prompt medical attention but your regular doctor’s office is closed, you have a choice to make between an ER or urgent care center.
For years, the emergency room has been the go-to option for fast medical treatment. An ER is absolutely the right choice for life-threatening conditions and serious illnesses that may require special attention or hospitalization. But when you need prompt medical attention for minor or moderate ailments – muscle sprains, bug bites, fevers, migraines, gastrointestinal disorders and other non-life-threatening conditions – are you better served by a trip to the ER or urgent care center?
At CareWell Urgent Care, for example, we offer fast access to physician-led clinical teams that can treat a wide range of medical needs. Depending on your condition, seeking immediate care from a CareWell clinic may be faster, more affordable and more pleasant than trip to the ER.
Will ER or urgent care at CareWell let you see a doctor faster?
An ER visit can often last hours – most of that time is spent waiting to see a doctor who is busy with other more serious cases that require attention from an immediate care physician.
When considering an ER or urgent care visit, keep this in mind: at most CareWell Urgent Care centers you can see a clinician in as little as 15 minutes, and you won’t be left sitting alone in an exam room while your doctor is off treating other patients.
Which offers better value: ER or urgent care?
Visiting the ER is costly. If you have insurance, the co-pay may be a $100 or more, and if you don’t have insurance the cost can be exorbitant. At CareWell, we accept all major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, and a co-pay at our facility is usually the same as a co-pay for a primary care visit. For patients without insurance, our low self-pay options are a great and affordable alternative to an ER visit.
ER or urgent care – which is the more comfortable experience?
Emergency rooms are notoriously uncomfortable places, with harsh lighting and surrounded by dozens of sick people. At CareWell, you’ll find comfortable waiting rooms with soft lighting and a children’s play area to help keep the whole family comfortable.
Services provided by an ER or urgent care clinic
The emergency room is equipped to provide virtually all medical services a patient could require. But most patients with minor to moderate ailments will find that a CareWell Urgent Care center can provide all the medical attention they need. We offer treatment for:
- Colds, flu, illness and infections.
- Injury and accidents.
- Allergic reactions.
- Kids urgent care.
- Occupational medicine.
- Vaccinations and screenings.
- Physical exams.
Our state-of-the-art facilities include an on-site lab, X ray machines, EKG equipment, equipment for a respiratory fitness test, and more.
Final verdict: ER or urgent care center?
When considering the benefits of a visit to an ER or urgent care center, the data is pretty clear: for minor to moderate ailments, CareWell Urgent Care centers can provide more convenient and affordable medical treatment.
