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Americans make more than 130 million visits to the emergency room every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common reasons for ER visits include stomach and abdominal pain, chest pain, fever, headache and back pain.
While some of these symptoms, like chest pain, can indicate a serious condition, many can be treated at an urgent care center. Another option is telehealth—which means having a doctor appointment over the phone or video chat.
A visit to the emergency room can cost up to five times more than a visit to an urgent care center or telehealth, so it pays to know where to go.
If you're experiencing any of the following, go to the ER:
- Bleeding that doesn't stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure
- Signs of a heart attack, such as chest pains that last more than two minutes
- Signs of stroke, such as numbness of the face, arm and leg on one side of the body, sudden loss of vision or loss of speech
- Severe shortness of breath or sudden dizziness
- Major injuries such as broken bones, partial or total amputation of a limb, or trauma to the head
- Coughing up or vomiting blood
Suicidal feelings
When experiencing an emergency, the last thing you want to think about is cost. That's why it's a good idea to locate in-network hospitals with emergency rooms ahead of time, so you know where to go if an emergency occurs.
You can find in-network hospitals near you by using Find a Doctor. While ER visits cost a lot more than urgent care visits, using an in-network hospital will cost you less than a hospital that's outside your network.
If you are experiencing the following symptoms, go to an urgent care center:
- Cuts or wounds where bleeding is controlled
- Sprains, strains or bruises
- Mild or moderate asthma attacks
- Infections of the urinary tract, ear or upper respiratory system.
- Flu-like symptoms, such as sore throat, fever, coughing and congestion
- Mild or moderate stomach pains or diarrhea
Rashes, insect bites or sunburns
Not only do you save money by going to urgent care, you will probably have a shorter wait time, too.
Locate an in-network urgent care center by using Find a Doctor. Using an out-of-network urgent care center will cost you more.
If you have the time to shop around a bit and know what kind of test or procedure you might need, use the Cost estimator to find an urgent care center that offers the lowest price.
If you're experiencing the following, you can have your doctor appointment over the phone or video chat. These conditions can be treated through telehealth when you can't make it to an urgent care center.
- Flu-like symptoms, such as sore throat, fever, coughing and congestion
- Urinary tract infections
- Joint aches and skin infections
- Infections of the urinary tract, ear or upper respiratory system
- Pink eye
- Rashes, insect bites or sunburns
Mild or moderate asthma attacks
The great thing about telehealth is that it lets you get care from the comfort of home. If it's after normal business hours, you're traveling outside your network area or you just can't get to the doctor's office, it's the perfect solution. The doctor can even send your prescription to the nearest pharmacy.
Plus, most doctors charge less for a telehealth visit than an in-person visit. On average, telehealth saves consumers $100 per visit when you consider time, mileage and cost of services.
Telehealth is also a good option for therapy appointments for conditions like depression, anxiety, grief and loss, and bipolar disorders. Learn more about telehealth for mental health treatment.
More and more doctors are now offering telehealth. Contact your doctor today to see if they offer it, or find out more about telehealth.
If you can't decide where to go or how to get treatment, call your primary care provider. Even if it's after hours, there may be a nurse or on-call doctor you can talk to.
If you don't have a primary care provider, start with urgent care or telehealth. You can usually get in to an urgent care center relatively quickly, and most are open in the evenings and on weekends. Telehealth is usually available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Many people end up in the ER because they don't know what else to do. By having a plan and thinking ahead, you can make smart choices that are good not only for your health, but your budget as well.