When Should You Go To The Emergency Room Or Urgent Care?

You have a medical situation on your hands, you might have to decide if you should go to the Emergency Room or if heading to your local Urgent Care is a better option. It's important to keep in mind that your health insurance is also likely to provide you with other options, including visiting a family doctor's office. However, you should make the decision of where to go not only based on what your insurance covers, but also based on what your medical needs at the time truly require.

When To Visit The ER

You should head to the Emergency Room when you need immediate medical health. There are some symptoms that warrant this type of visit:

You have chest pain, especially if it radiates from your arm or jaw
You are sweating, vomiting and having shortness of breath
You have severe pain, especially if it starts in your abdomen or halfway down your back
You have a loss of balance or you have fainted
You have weakness or paralysis
You have significant bleeding that is not stopping
You have serious burns
You've had a seizure, especially if you have not had one before
A newborn baby has a high fever
You have a loss of vision

If there is any risk to your life or you are told by a 911 operator that you have to get immediate medical care, go to the Emergency Room right away.

When To Visit Urgent Care

An Urgent Care should be viewed as a faster response to getting medical care than going to your doctor's office, but it could take longer to get treated than it does at the Emergency Room. You should consider attending this location if:

You have painful urination
You have a fever, but no rash
You have had minor trauma, such as a sprain or a broken leg without bleeding
You are vomiting
You have diarrhea that does not go away
You have a severe sore throat

If you have any of these medical needs, do not wait to get medical help. Rather, it's best to turn to medical professionals right away for care. In advance of this, be sure you know what your health insurance provider covers and the amount of care you need to have.

Your health is our priority. Call All About Insurance at (817) 589-0006 for more information on Fort Worth TX health insurance.

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