No bones about it, visiting the ER may be unavoidable for some patients suffering from minor illnesses or injuries. Maybe you are unsure of the severity of your medical condition? You should go to the ER. Need immedate attention after, the after-hours clinics are closed and don't know of any local on-call doctors? Or is there simply confusion about the difference between the ER and an Urgent Care facility? Don't know of a local Urgent Care Clinic, or is the hospital just closer? Undoubtedly, going to the ER is the better option for some, but if convenience is your only motivation to attend the ER, think again.
If you are not aware of the services offered at an Urgent Care, click here and scroll down, if you are well-versed on Urgent Care, skip ahead to the next paragraph. When any of the minor medical illnesses or injuries listed occurs, Urgent Care is the answer. It is especially convenient when your Primary Care physician is overbooked, you need medical attention after-hours, or when you are on vacation.
Northeastern Florida Hospitals attempt to solve over-crowding issues in the ER by implementing extra charges for those whose health concerns do not warrant emergency medical attention. Check out more on the hospitals implementing this surcharge. So far, these surcharges are right around $100.
Although, these surcharges have only been written about in Florida, a policy like this may catch on for it's value as a preventative measure for ER overcrowding. The best way to avoid this surcharge is to visit an urgent care. If you don't know of one in your area, go to FindUrgentCare.com. Our site lists each clinic's normal hours of operation, and services offered, like 24/7 On-Call physician care. If the ER is a must for your minor illness or injury, ask about surcharges!
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