Know where to go

Allergies, mild or moderate cold and flu symptoms, depression, anxiety, ear problems, heartburn, pink eye, sinusitis, urinary tract infections.

Virtual visits are generally cheaper than in-person ones. And keep in mind that you can save money by going to providers in your network.

With virtual care, you don’t have to deal with traffic or waiting rooms. Plus, wait times are minimal—you can sometimes chat within minutes.

Routine services like vaccinations and checkups; or issues like severe cold and flu symptoms, minor burns, mild or moderate stomach pains, sprains and strains.

Retail clinics offer an affordable option for routine services like flu shots or treatment for minor issues like ear infections. In-person doctor visits and urgent care clinics have moderate costs—and remember, you’ll save money when you stay in-network.

For preventive and routine care, you can avoid wait times by making an appointment. Urgent care clinics do have a wait, but they can often give you an estimated wait time or message you when you’re up. Wait times are generally shorter than at the ER.

Heart attack symptoms, stroke symptoms, difficulty breathing, broken bones, major burns, bleeding that doesn’t stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure.

A visit to the emergency room can be costly—up to five times more than a visit to an urgent care center or virtual care. Going to an out-of-network hospital can also increase your bill.

Compared to urgent care, waits are generally longer. The national average wait time at the ER is about 40 minutes, but many patients still wait at least two hours to see a provider.