Temporary health care on arrival
Jul 22nd 2015, 11:50 pm
#16
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 8,106
Re: Temporary health care on arrival
"minute clinics" (usually in supermarkets or drugstores), staffed by nurses, they are useful for minor stuff that doesn't need a dr (cheapest option),
urgent care facilities - not full blown ER but good for sutures or when you want a dr for antibiotics etc
Hospital ERs. Let's hope you don't need it!
urgent care facilities - not full blown ER but good for sutures or when you want a dr for antibiotics etc
Hospital ERs. Let's hope you don't need it!
Otherwise go to an urgent care or minute clinic. Many can even do x-rays and fix broken bones, put in stitches, as well as dispense a quick Rx for antibiotics etc.
The cost difference can be significant!
Jul 23rd 2015, 12:19 am
#17
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Temporary health care on arrival
I like to remind people not to use ER in the manner they might use A&E in the UK. Only go to ER if you are in an ambulance and potentially dying.
Otherwise go to an urgent care or minute clinic. Many can even do x-rays and fix broken bones, put in stitches, as well as dispense a quick Rx for antibiotics etc.
The cost difference can be significant!
Otherwise go to an urgent care or minute clinic. Many can even do x-rays and fix broken bones, put in stitches, as well as dispense a quick Rx for antibiotics etc.
The cost difference can be significant!
The difference can be "low three figures" for urgent care v "four figures" for ER, and more than likely "five figures" if an ambulance is called! 
And no, I am not joking. IIRC a BE'er's husband was billed $15,000 for an ambulance last year, which on that occasion he did need, and probably saved his life.
Last edited by Pulaski; Jul 23rd 2015 at 12:52 am.
Jul 23rd 2015, 12:33 am
#18
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: Temporary health care on arrival
Just to be clear for the OP.
Urgent care clinics are standalone places not attached to a hospital. They will have a doctor there and if they think you need to go to a hospital then they can send you on to one. The cost difference between this and the ER at the hospital can't be over-emphasized.
Urgent care clinics are standalone places not attached to a hospital. They will have a doctor there and if they think you need to go to a hospital then they can send you on to one. The cost difference between this and the ER at the hospital can't be over-emphasized.
