Right Care at the Right Time
May 20, 2019
When you are in need of healthcare right away, knowing where to go can save you both time and money.
Primary care: Keeping you healthy, close to home
As a rule of thumb, your primary care provider should be your first call for anything not life-threatening. Your provider can help you get the care you need when you’re sick and can also help you stay healthy. Many offer same-day or next-day appointments and convenient online scheduling. Depending on your insurance, costs for an office visit typically range from $15 to $50.
Urgent care: For when you’re on the go
Visit an urgent care if you need care for a minor illness or injury. Urgent care centers accept walk-ins or an appointment can be scheduled online. They take many kinds of insurance and most offer onsite lab and imaging services. They treat a range of conditions such as lower back pain, sports injuries, sprains and strains, minor cuts and broken bones, illnesses such as the flu and bronchitis and sinus, ear and urinary tract infections. Depending on your insurance and if you had tests run, your costs could range from $40 to $150.
Emergency care: In an emergency
You should visit the ER if you have a traumatic or very serious illness/injury. It should not be used for “routine” care such as earaches and sore throats as this could result in costly expenses. Visit an ER if you or someone you love has chest pain, extreme stomach pain, a head injury, heavy bleeding/deep cuts, seizures, blurry vision, faintness, dizziness, or shortness of breath.The full cost of an ER visit can be $1,200 or more. Depending on your insurance plan, with deductibles, coinsurance, and copays, you may pay most of this cost out of your pocket.
If you’re experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to an ER or call 9-1-1 for help.
To find an Ascension Network (Tier 1) provider or facility near you, visit www.mysmarthealth.org
