Where to Go for Care
Here is how to use the healthcare system wisely — a practical decision guide, not a ranking of "best" providers.
| Situation | Where to Go | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Routine, preventive, or chronic care | A primary care provider | Primary care covers routine visits, preventive screenings, acute illness, chronic disease management, referrals, and ongoing care coordination. |
| Non-emergency illness or injury | Urgent care, before the ER, when clinically appropriate | Urgent care is built for non-emergent illness and injury, and typically costs significantly less than an ER visit for the same issue. |
| Quick questions, minor symptoms, or after-hours needs | Telehealth | Many plans include virtual visits for minor illness, prescription refills, and behavioral health support — often available nights and weekends. |
| Emergency symptoms | Emergency room or 911 | Call 911 or go to the nearest ER for life-threatening situations — chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, sudden numbness, or stroke symptoms. |
| Behavioral health crisis | A crisis line, your plan's behavioral health resources, or 911 depending on acuity | See Behavioral Health Resources for a fuller first-call guide. |
Always verify network status before scheduling. Provider availability and plan contracts change — what's in-network today may not be next renewal. Confirm coverage details directly with your carrier or advisor before a non-emergency appointment.
Employer Takeaway
Help your employees make the right call, the first time
Sharing a simple "where to go" guide with your team — even something as basic as this page — can reduce unnecessary ER visits, speed up care, and lower costs for everyone. It also sends a quiet but real message to your employees: that you want them to actually get good care, not just have a card in their wallet. See our Resource Library for a downloadable version.