Do You Need Acute Care?
Do you need acute care or emergency care?
You're sick or hurt, and you need medical attention. But how do you know whether you should head to the hospital's emergency department (ED) or an acute care center?
Go to acute care for:
Non-life-threatening conditions, such as:
- Cold/flu
- Eye and ear conditions
- Cuts
- Sprains
- Respiratory illness
- Sinusitis
- Urinary tract infections
- Other common illness and injuries
Go to an emergency department for:
More serious or life-threatening conditions, such as:
- Chest pain and heart attack
- Uncontrolled vomiting
- Serious burns
- Severe pain
- Altered mental status or confusion
- Stroke
- Major injury or trauma
- Broken bones
- Seizures
- Head injuries
Acute care can also provide:
- Imaging and lab tests (if ordered by the clinic provider)
- Immunizations
- Occupational medicine
- Camp, school and sport physicals
ED visits that could be handled by acute care:
82%
National average cost per visit:1
| Acute care | ED | |
|---|---|---|
| Urinary tract infection | $112 | $655 |
| Acute sinusitis | $125 | $775 |
| Middle ear infection | $109 | $655 |
Both acute care centers and EDs accept most major insurance plans, but your copay might be lower at acute care.
Number of ED visits annually:2
136 Million
1. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
