BENEFITS OF A DOCTOR’S OFFICE VS THE EMERGENCY ROOM

If you get sick or injured, your first thought might be to head to your local hospital’s emergency department (ED), instead of seeing a primary care doctor. And while the ED is your best option for serious, sudden problems such as chest pain or uncontrolled bleeding, it’s not necessarily the best option for non-life-threatening issues.

If you have a sprain, the flu or something else that’s minor, a visit to a primary care doctor instead of the ED will save you money and time while offering other benefits that you may not have considered. Here’s a look at why choosing the right level of care for your situation is so important.

1. YOU’LL PAY LESS

Any trip to the ED will be very expensive—much more expensive than seeing your primary care doctor—even if you have an issue like a sore throat that’s not life-threatening.

The typical cost of an ED visit is around $1,200, depending on the reason for the visit and the types of tests or treatments required. If you don’t have health insurance, that cost could be well over $2,000.

2. YOU’LL HAVE A SHORTER WAIT TIME

If you go the ED for a non-life-threatening issue, chances are you’ll have to wait a long time—possibly hours—before you see a doctor. That’s because ED doctors see patients in order of severity.

With a primary care doctor, you can schedule an appointment. That way, you’ll see the doctor at your scheduled time. If you’re ill, you can often get an appointment to see your doctor the same day that you call.

3. YOU’LL HAVE CONTINUITY OF CARE

By visiting your primary care doctor when you’re sick, in addition to seeing him for your annual checkup, he’ll have a complete picture of your current health, including what medications you’re taking and what allergies you have. He’ll also know your health history, which is important for understanding your risks for certain diseases.

All of that helps your primary care doctor personalize treatment for you. And that differs from visiting the ED, where a doctor who has never seen you before and doesn’t know anything about you, will treat your immediate problem, bill you, and then send you on your way.

STAR Community Health

Don’t already have a primary care doctor? Check out STAR Community Health! At STAR Community Health, we provide affordable, personalized, same-day care, right in your neighborhood, without the costs and wait times of an ED. We’re dedicated to keeping you healthy and preventing chronic diseases as well as providing quality care when you’re sick.

We offer same day care services to new and existing patients who require quick access to medical care for minor illnesses and injuries. And if you need specialized care, we provide referrals and coordination. Call any of our offices to schedule an appointment.

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Affordable services

As a Federally Qualified Health Center, we’re committed to helping you access care—no insurance required. We offer:

A sliding fee discount program— In order to provide affordable services for all, we offer a sliding fee discount program, which is based on family income and size. Please visit our website to find out more about STAR’s sliding fee discount program.
Patient navigators—We assist with enrollment in Pennie, Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare and COBRA.

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