When to Choose Urgent Care vs. an ER

When you need medical care quickly, it can be difficult know exactly what kind of care you need. Should you go to the emergency room or urgent care?

For illnesses or injuries that are not life-threatening but still need immediate medical care, UM Urgent Care facilities see people of all ages.

When in doubt, dial 911.

Reasons for Urgent Care

UM Urgent Care facilities are open 8 am-8 pm every day of the week, including weekends and most holidays. We accept walk-ins, or can hold a same-day or next-day spot in line that meets your schedule. Most of our visits last less than an hour.

We accept most major insurance plans and offer affordable self-pay rates.

Common conditions we treat at our urgent care facilities include:

• Allergic reactions
• Broken bones
• Cold and flu symptoms
• Concussion symptoms
• Cuts requiring stitches
• Insect bite
• Mild fevers
• Minor burns
• Pink eye
• Sprains and strains

Reasons for Emergency Care

Emergency rooms are open all day, every day, including the weekends and holidays, and should be the first place to go for life-threatening conditions.

Reasons to go to an emergency room include:

• Babies needing immediate care
• Heart attack symptoms
• High fevers
• Serious eye or head injuries
• Severe abdominal or chest pain
• Severe burns
• Significant difficulty breathing
• Stroke symptoms (numbness, paralysis, slurred speech)
• Suspected drug overdose or poisoning