Urgent Care vs ER: Knowing Which to Choose Could Save You Money!

Have you ever considered the cost of urgent care or ER? We have a simple breakdown for you. The bottom line? In most cases, unless there’s a medical emergency (broken bone, chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe burn, etc.), you can save on out-of-pocket costs by going to urgent care instead of the ER.

What you need to know about urgent care centers:

• Urgent care centers are staffed by fully accredited doctors and are as equally equipped as ERs to handle issues like sprains, cuts that require stitches, minor burns, back pain, the flu and much more
• Wait times at urgent care centers also tend to be shorter than ERs
• We have hundreds of urgent care centers throughout Michigan
• Generally, urgent care costs tend to be less than a visit to the ER

Urgent Care and Telehealth Services

Urgent care

There are three easy ways to find an urgent care center:

1. Use our Find a Doctor/Facility tool.
2. Access our mobile app HAP OnTheGo.
3. Call Customer Service at (800) 422-4641 (TTY: 711).

Check your specific out-of-pocket costs for urgent care and ER by logging in to your hap.org account and clicking on My Benefits.  

Telehealth services

Now you can also see a doctor using your mobile phone, tablet or computer using HAP’s telehealth services. Here are the benefits of using telehealth services:

• Affordable, easy and convenient
• Doctors are licensed and board certified
• No appointment, short wait
• 24/7 access
• Online visits are secure

Examples of conditions that can be treated through HAP’s telehealth services are:

• Colds
• Flu
• Headache
• Sprains and strains
• Rashes and sinus infections
• Pink eye
• Other minor conditions

Generally, both mobile and in-person appointments with your doctor and urgent care cost less than an ER visit copay.

When medical problems arise, choose wisely to take the financial surprise out of a visit and find the most appropriate care at the best cost for your family. Take a minute to stop and consider whether a visit to urgent care vs ER is most appropriate.