{"id":478,"date":"2021-10-04T12:56:42","date_gmt":"2021-10-04T12:56:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/?p=478"},"modified":"2022-12-26T15:09:22","modified_gmt":"2022-12-26T15:09:22","slug":"should-i-go-to-the-er-urgent-care-or-my-doctors-office","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/index.php\/2021\/10\/04\/should-i-go-to-the-er-urgent-care-or-my-doctors-office\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I go to the ER, Urgent Care or My Doctor\u2019s Office?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Knowing where to go when you have a health scare is vital to getting the care you need, when you need it. Choosing the right place to go will also save you time and money.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why I was surprised recently to learn that most visits to the Emergency Room (ER) are not, in fact, emergencies. According to CBS News<\/em>, the most common type of visit to the ER<\/a> is one of moderate severity. (Think having a severe cough or a fever higher than 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit.) In North Carolina, this type of visit costs $1,589 on average.1<\/sup><\/p>\n

Meaning, not only are most visits to the ER unnecessary \u2013 they\u2019re also very expensive.<\/p>\n

So, why are so many folks heading to the ER? There are a lot of reasons. Perhaps it\u2019s after 5pm and the doctor\u2019s office is closed. Or the patient lives in a rural area that suffers from a shortage of primary care physicians. Or it seems like the fastest way to receive care. (It\u2019s not, by the way. Patients in North Carolina can spend up to five hours<\/a> in the emergency room before being sent home!)2<\/sup><\/p>\n

And then, of course, there\u2019s confusion around what classifies as a health emergency, when it\u2019s appropriate to use the ER, and where to go if your medical need is not <\/em>an emergency. In this article, we\u2019ll discuss a few care options – many of which are open beyond business hours \u2013 to keep in mind during your next health scare.<\/p>\n

Remember, if you\u2019re not sure where to go, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina members can always use our 24\/7 nurse line<\/a>, Health Line Blue, for a second opinion. There is no out-of-pocket cost for calling Health Line Blue.<\/p>\n

If you are a Healthy Blue member, you also have access to a 24\/7 nursing line (but at a different phone number). Healthy Blue\u2019s nurse line lets you talk with a registered nurse whenever you have health questions or need medical advice. Learn more about where to get the care you need if you are a Healthy Blue member<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What is as a Health Emergency, Anyway? <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Many times we mix up \u201curgency\u201d and \u201cemergency\u201d \u2013 meaning, if we think there\u2019s an urgent reason to head to the doc, it feels like an emergency. And so, before we even consider alternative options, we may find ourselves waiting in the ER.<\/p>\n

This is why it\u2019s important to familiarize ourselves with the medical conditions that classify as health emergencies before<\/em> we have a health scare. Here\u2019s a list of life-threatening emergencies<\/strong> that qualify for a trip to the ER:<\/p>\n