Handy Cheat Sheet: Who to see if you're sick or injured

Pop quiz: You develop a rash. Who should you see for care?

It depends on how serious your rash is and when it occurs. Experts say if it’s not serious and you can wait, then you should make an appointment with your doctor. However, if the rash bothers you enough you can’t wait, a walk-in clinic is a reasonable option. A less expensive, usually quicker option would be to call your telehealth provider. If your rash is causing you extreme discomfort, urgent care would be a good choice. But if you have both a rash and a fever or trouble swallowing, you should go to the emergency room at a hospital.

As you can see, the answer for any situation depends on the level of care you need. Not all facilities have the same type of medical equipment and provider expertise.

This handy cheat sheet was compiled from sources across the Internet. While not comprehensive, it will give you an idea of where to go the next time you are sick or injured.

• Your primary doctor: A primary doctor/physician usually is the first person someone should go to for health care. These experts can provide:
  • Preventive care
  • Treatment of common illnesses
  • Early detection of illnesses or conditions
  • Management of chronic conditions
  • Referrals to medical specialists
• Telehealth or Telemedicine: You can talk to a health care provider on the phone or through a video chat. The cost usually is free or minimal, so check your health plan to see which provider they recommend. A telehealth provider can prescribe care and medications. They can perform COVID-19 evaluations and treat:
  • Colds, flu and coughs
  • Rashes
  • Earaches
  • Sinusitis
  • Pink eye
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension
• Walk-In Clinic: These clinics provide basic medical care for minor health situations. Business hours open vary from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., or less, seven days a week and are staffed by practitioners and physician assistants. They have pricing and payment options for underinsured and insured patients and typically don’t take appointments. Visit them if you don’t have a primary doctor or can’t get an appointment when you have:
  • Sore throat
  • Cold or flu
  • Allergies
  • Bug Bites/stings
  • Sprains
  • Bladder and UTI infections
• Urgent Care: These centers help patients who do not need lifesaving care but need immediate attention and cannot wait to see their primary doctor. While some clinics are open until midnight, most are open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and are staffed by a physician. You might need an appointment, so check online first.
  • Accidents, falls, sprains and strains
  • Moderate back problems
  • Mild breathing difficulties (i.e., mild to moderate asthma)
  • Cuts that require a few stitches
  • X-rays and laboratory tests
  • Eye irritation
  • Fever, flu, severe sore throat or cough
  • Vomiting, diarrhea or dehydration
  • Minor broken bones and fractures like fingers or toes
  • Skin rashes and infections
  • Urinary tract infections
• Hospital Emergency Room: These providers are available 24/7 and handle the most serious, complex needs. No appointment is needed.
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Weakness/numbness on one side
  • Slurred speech
  • Concussion/confusion, fainting or change in mental state
  • Serious burns
  • Head or eye injury
  • Broken bones and dislocated joints
  • A rash and a fever
  • Seizures
  • Cuts that require a lot of stitches
  • Severe cold or flu symptoms
  • Pregnant and experiencing vaginal bleeding
• Call 911: Call this number if you need the services of an emergency room and are unable to drive yourself or if someone needs immediate, life-saving care. Paramedics can arrive and begin administering treatment immediately.

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Allied National

Founded in 1970, Allied is one of the nation's oldest and most experienced third-party administrators. As the small group benefit experts, Allied works with small business employers to provide unique and affordable group health benefits.