We know that healthcare can be complicated. What providers are in-network? What does your insurance cover? What services are preventive? Your insurance plan can answer these questions for you, but there’s one fact we all know: A visit to the emergency room (ER) or urgent care costs more than a visit to primary care.
The cost of care
A 2019 industry report noted that a visit to the emergency room can be 12 times more expensive ($2,032) than a visit to primary care ($167) and 10 times more expensive than a visit to an urgent care center ($193). The same report noted that of the 27 million annual ER visits in the United States, 18 million of them were for health issues—such as coughs, dizziness, nausea, sore throat, and respiratory infections—that could have been handled in primary care. These unnecessary ER visits added over $32 billion in costs to our healthcare system each year.
As the writers of a PubMed Central study noted, “When faced with an acute illness, patients routinely make the decision of whether to present to their primary care physician (PCP) or the emergency department (ED). While the ED is known to be a high-cost component in the healthcare system, many ED visits include nonurgent ailments that could easily be treated within the medical home/primary care office.”
Knowing where to get care
Knowing where to have a given health issue treated is important for your health and your pocketbook. If you are experiencing a life-threatening condition, it is important to call 911 and make use of your local ER. Kinwell’s advanced primary care, however, is designed to treat conditions that are often seen in the ER, including urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, and lower back pain.
The emergency room
When it is a matter of life and death, there’s no better place than the ER. Hospitals have the expertise and equipment to deal with a variety of life-threatening medical situations. The ER should be your first choice for care if you experience any serious condition requiring immediate treatment.
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Signs of a stroke like numbness on one side of the body
- Severe and sudden abdominal pain
- Head injuries that include a loss of consciousness
- Deep wounds with significant bleeding
- Broken bones or dislocated joints
- Severe burns or large burned areas
- An overdose of drugs or alcohol
- A mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhea that leads to dehydration
Urgent care
Urgent Care clinics operate somewhere between the ER and primary care. Like an ER, they accept walk-in patients, are open longer hours, and offer some services, like x-rays, that primary care often doesn’t. Urgent care facilities typically have a smaller footprint, like a primary care clinic, and none of the large overhead costs of a hospital. Conditions appropriate for Urgent Care are non-life-threatening but cause sufficient pain or discomfort that require fast treatment. Many of the following conditions can be treated at Kinwell, but Kinwell patients should consider Urgent Care as an option for evening and weekend treatment.
- Mild to moderate asthma attacks
- Sprains or possible minor fractures
- Fevers in adults or older children
- Persistent coughs
- Urinary tract infections
- Rashes that worsen over time
- Cuts or wounds that require stitches
- Animal or insect bites that are not life threatening
Primary care
Primary care is your medical home. It’s where you keep up to date on immunizations and important screenings, manage chronic conditions, and seek treatment for many acute concerns. Kinwell’s advanced primary care provides these services and more, including behavioral health treatment and lifestyle medicine.
- Colds and flu
- Minor cuts and bruises
- Sprains and strains
- Ear infections
- Sore throat
- Urinary tract infections
- Mild rashes or allergic reactions
- Minor burns
- Stomach aches
If you are experiencing a health concern and are not sure where to seek care, call Kinwell for guidance. We understand health concerns can be stressful and will work to provide recommendations and peace of mind.
- During regular business hours, our virtual care clinicians can see established patients the same or next day. Call 833-411-5469 for the most up-to-date appointment options.
- Even after hours, established patients can call 833-411-5469 to speak with a consulting nurse who can diagnose your situation and recommend the best course of action.
