August 2025 — When you’re feeling unwell or someone you love is injured, deciding whether to go to the emergency room (ER) or an urgent care (UC) clinic can be confusing and overwhelming, especially when the timing matters. Both options offer medical care, but they’re designed to handle different levels of need. Knowing the difference can save you time, money, and stress.
Urgent Care (UC)
Urgent care clinics are designed to handle a wide range of non-life threatening health issues quickly and efficiently.
UC clinics can treat:
- Cold and flu symptoms
- Fevers
- Minor sprains and strains
- Cuts that might need stitches
- Mild asthma symptoms
- Rashes, UTIs, ear infections, and more
Many urgent care clinics, including ours, offer on-site X-rays, lab testing, and even medications, making them a one-stop option for fast relief.
Emergency Room (ER)
That said, there are clear times when the emergency room is the right call. Emergency rooms are equipped with advanced imaging, trauma resources, and surgical capabilities that urgent care clinics are not built to handle.
If you or someone else is experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t wait. Call 911 or go straight to the ER:
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Signs of stroke (sudden numbness, slurred speech, vision problems)
- Major injuries or bleeding that won’t stop
- Head trauma
- Seizures or loss of consciousness
- Any other life-threatening condition
Why It Matters Where You Go
In 2023, the Urgent Care Association reported that the average cost of an urgent care visit is around $171, compared to $1,646 for a typical emergency room visit. That alone makes urgent care a more affordable option when your condition isn’t life-threatening, but cost isn’t the only factor.
In 2022, the CDC reported there were 155.4 million ER visits in the U.S.—roughly 47 visits for every 100 people. Yet only 11.5% of those visits led to hospital admission, meaning nearly 9 in 10 people were treated and sent home the same day. Many of these cases could have safely been handled at urgent care, avoiding unnecessary ER trips altogether.
Moreover, overuse of the ER for non-emergencies doesn’t just cost more, it clogs the system. A National Library of Medicine study published in 2021 found that opening an urgent care center in a ZIP code led to a 17.2% drop in nearby ER visits. By redirecting non-emergency patients to UC clinics, hospitals can stay focused on patients who need life-saving care.
The numbers show that UC clinics effectively bridge the gap between your primary care provider (PCP) and the ER with extended hours, walk-in availability, and evening and weekend availability. If your condition isn’t life-threatening, urgent care is usually your best first step.
At Primary Health, we’re proud to offer multiple urgent care clinics across the Treasure Valley, including telehealth urgent care and two clinics specializing in pediatric urgent care. Whether you walk in, check the wait, or book an appointment online, we’re here to get you the care you need.