Urgent Care
When you need care quick, your first thought might be to visit the emergency room (ER). But if the situation isn’t an emergency (that is, not life-threatening), you’re better off visiting an urgent care center instead.
Urgent care is especially helpful when:
- You’re experiencing an urgent injury like a fracture or a sprain, and your PCP is not available to see you
- You are not experiencing a potentially life-threatening condition: if you’re experiencing chest pain, trouble breathing, intense bleeding or other symptoms that you think may put your life at risk you should go to the emergency room
- You want to save time – wait times for urgent care are often shorter than the ER
More Information
HPSM Nurse Advice Line
Call 1-833-846-8773 24 hours a day–7 days a week.
A Licensed Registered Nurse (RN) will give you advice when you think you need urgent medical attention, but you are not sure. A nurse will ask about your symptoms and tell you:
- If you need to go to Urgent Care
- If you can wait to see your doctor (within 24 hours, 3 days, or longer)
- How to take care of your symptoms at home
Learn more about the Nurse Advice Line.