Urgent care vs. the emergency room

Find out where to go for sudden health care needs.

Emergency care can save your life if you’re critically sick or injured. For less severe complaints, you may get faster and less expensive treatment by heading to an urgent care center.

Urgent care

Urgent care centers treat a wide variety of illnesses and injuries. To find out if an urgent care visit is needed, contact your primary care physician (PCP) first. Your PCP’s contact information is listed on the front of your Sharp Direct Advantage member ID card.

When to go to urgent care

Sprains or strains of your arms or legs
Broken bones where you don’t see an obvious deformity
Headaches that are not typical for you
Sore throat, cough, flu or low-grade fevers
Minor burns
Cuts that may need a few stitches
Urinary tract infections
Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
Most low back pain

Emergency room

If an illness or injury is severe or if you need care immediately, the emergency room (ER) is the right choice. ERs are equipped and staffed to handle complex and critical care needs.

When to go to the emergency room

Traumatic injuries from a vehicle accident or fall
Complex fracture with a bone protruding through the skin
Sudden or severe headaches
Chest pain or difficulty breathing
Significant head injury
Suspected heart attack or stroke
Poisonings; drug or alcohol issues
Severe abdominal pain
Seizures

Urgent care when you’re home vs. away

When you’re home in our plan service area: Urgent care visits must take place at an urgent care center in your plan medical group. Remember to call your PCP first before you visit urgent care. Virtual urgent care is also offered through both Sharp Community and Sharp Rees-Stealy.

When you’re away outside our plan service area: Visit a convenient urgent care center near you. After your urgent care visit, your PCP may want to see you when you return.

Sharp Direct Advantage is offered by Sharp Health Plan. Sharp Health Plan is an HMO with a Medicare contract. Enrollment with Sharp Health Plan depends on contract renewal. Read the full disclaimer.

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Page Last Updated: 3/12/2024