Choosing the right place to get care can save you time and money. When you’re sick or injured now, heading to the emergency room (ER) or urgent care may not always be the right option. So how do you know where to go?
Here are five ways to get the right care—and save money:
#1 Primary Care Provider (PCP): Your Starting Point
Best for: Annual checkups, prescription refills, ongoing condition management, minor illnesses, and ongoing health concerns
Advantages: PCPs know your medical history and can coordinate care between specialists for personalized treatment.
Limitation: Usually only available during business hours, though many offer after-hours phone consultations
#2 Virtual Visit: Care at Your Fingertips
Best for: Minor illnesses, prescription refills, mental health appointments, follow-up medical appointments, and skin concerns
Advantages: Same-day appointments, no travel time, and often more affordable
Limitations: No physical exams, limited diagnostic capabilities (no CT scans, MRIs, labs), not for urgent situations, like difficulty breathing
#3 Walk-In Clinics: Quick Care for Minor Issues
Best for: Minor injuries like cuts, sprains, or burns; common ailments, such as cold, flu, or sore throat; blood pressure checks; immunizations; and simple prescriptions like antibiotics, blood pressure medications, and pain relievers
Advantages: First-come, first-served basis, often located in pharmacies; most affordable option for minor needs
Limitations: May not have access to your complete medical history, wait times can vary significantly, cannot handle complex or serious conditions
#4 Urgent Care: Enhanced Immediate Care
Best for: Broken bones, cuts needing stitches, moderate injuries, severe cold/flu, nausea/vomiting, rashes, and fevers
Advantages: Doctors on staff, X-ray machines, extended hours including evenings and weekends; faster than ER for nonemergencies
Limitations: May not have access to your complete medical history, wait times can still be substantial during peak hours, limited surgical or advanced treatment capabilities
#5 Emergency Room (ER): For True Emergencies Only
Best for: Chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden mental changes, stroke symptoms, uncontrollable bleeding, major broken bones, head injuries, sudden vision loss, or seizures
Advantages: Open 24/7 with full medical staff, can handle any medical emergency, with immediate access to specialists if needed
Limitations: ERs prioritize by severity, so nonemergency cases face long waits; expensive option
Rockwell Health Care Guide
When you’re enrolled in a Rockwell Automation medical plan, you have options to help you find the right level of care.
- If you’re enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare (UHC) medical plan, you can find a PCP and access same-day virtual care or urgent care by visiting myuhc.com. UHC members can also utilize Judi Care (previously Amino Smart Match) to find in-network doctors, ranked by cost and quality, by visiting judi.care.
- If you’re enrolled in a Centivo medical plan, you can visit centivo.com to receive virtual care, mental health support, or to get connected with a PCP.
- If you’re enrolled in any of the Rockwell medical plans, you have access to 2nd.MD medical experts, a free service that connects you with top medical specialists to review your case, answer medical questions, and provide recommendations for diagnosis or treatment. Visit 2nd.MD/rockwell or call 1.866.269.3534 to get started.
This newsletter is for informational purposes only. Always consult health care providers for personalized medical advice.
