Urgent Care vs. an Emergency Room Visit

There once was a time when you or someone you knew fell ill and was unable to make an immediate appointment with their doctor, and the only resource for immediate care was the emergency room. That emergency room visit often lasted a few too many painful hours waiting to be seen. These days we have a great option known as Urgent Care.

Millennials are the number one culprits utilizing the Emergency Room for illnesses that are not ER level. According to a study done by Amino, about 37 percent of millennial men and 30 percent of millennial women in their 20s seek out the emergency room for immediate care. In addition, 64 percent of millennial flu diagnoses are made by emergency room doctors — this would not normally be considered ER level serious.

For those who have gone to the ER, you may also be familiar with the hefty price tag that comes along with the visit. For example, if you go to the ER for allergies (depending on your insurance) you could be paying $345 — at an Urgent Care Center you could be paying a third of that cost. A urinary tract infection costs $665 at the ER and only a fourth to a fifth of that at an Urgent Care Center.

Urgent Care centers are shaking up the healthcare landscape and opening up many markets, with 112 locations in Connecticut alone at the time of this article. Urgent Care Centers help bridge the gap between your primary care and emergency room visits — if you cannot get an appointment with your primary care or do not want to wait in the ER for a non-life-threatening illness or injury, urgent care is your answer. Urgent Care Centers are able to perform basic lab tests, x-rays, and simple to complex procedures.

When to go to urgent care vs. the emergency room

Most common reasons you should go to the Emergency Room:

• Severe chest pain and arm tingling or numbness
• Severe abdominal pain with fever
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• Paralysis
• Intestinal bleeding
• High fevers or rash, especially among children
• Pregnancy-related issues
• Repeated vomiting
• Poisoning
• Severe head or eye injury
• Severe allergic reactions with shortness of breath and/or swelling
• Unconsciousness

Most common reasons to go to an Urgent Care Center:

• Accidents and falls
• Sports, school, travel, and immigration physicals
• Ear infection
• Sore throat
• Sprains and strains
• Moderate back problems
• Breathing difficulties (such as asthma)
• Bleeding/cuts requiring stitches
• Diagnostic services, including x-rays and lab tests
• Eye irritation and redness
• Fever or flu
• Minor broken bones and fractures (fingers, toes)
• Skin rashes and infections

Knowing when to go to the Emergency Room and when to visit an Urgent Care Center can save you both money and time. If you have further questions, feel free to contact us anytime, or check out our FAQ page.

AFC Urgent Care Vernon is open 7 days a week — Monday through Friday 8am–8pm and Saturday through Sunday 8am–5pm. Staffed by licensed professionals, we accept most insurances including Medicare and Medicaid (Husky). No appointment needed.

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