Care navigator
Where should I go for care?
Answer three questions and we will suggest the right setting — plus what to bring. It takes about 30 seconds.
Call your local emergency number now for chest pain or pressure, trouble breathing, signs of stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty), severe bleeding, a seizure, fainting or unresponsiveness, a severe allergic reaction, or thoughts of harming yourself or others.
911 US & Canada · 999 UK · 112 EU & India · 000 Australia · In the US and Canada you can call or text 988 for a suicide and mental-health crisis line.
Care settings compared
| Setting | Best for | Typical wait | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency department | Life-threatening or limb-threatening problems | Triage by severity; minor problems can wait hours | Highest |
| Urgent care | Same-day, non-life-threatening illness and injury; X-rays at many centers | Often under an hour | Moderate |
| Walk-in or retail clinic | Simple infections, vaccines, minor ailments | Minutes to an hour | Low |
| Telehealth | Advice, minor illness, refills, mental-health follow-ups | Often same day | Low |
| Primary care | Ongoing conditions, checkups, referrals, anything that can wait | Days to weeks | Low to moderate |
| Pharmacist | Medicine questions; minor ailments and emergency supplies in many regions | Minutes | Lowest |
| Specialist | Expert diagnosis and treatment, usually after a referral | Weeks to months | Moderate to high |
Not sure? Call a nurse line. NHS 111 (England), 811 (most Canadian provinces, including Info-Santé in Québec), healthdirect 1800 022 222 (Australia), or the 24/7 nurse line printed on many insurance cards. Mental-health crisis: 988 in the US and Canada.
Watch: choosing between the ER, urgent care and your doctor
Video: University of Maryland Medical System. Shown in YouTube's privacy-enhanced mode; it loads only when you press play.
Free for patients · No obligation
Get matched with the right clinic
Tell us what you need and where. We send up to 3 suitable options, usually within 1–2 business days.
- Independent and free
- Shared only with clinics you approve
- In-person or video visits
Frequently asked questions
When should I go to the emergency room instead of urgent care?
Go to the emergency department or call your emergency number for chest pain or pressure, trouble breathing, signs of stroke, severe bleeding, a seizure, fainting, severe burns, a serious head injury, a severe allergic reaction, or thoughts of harming yourself. Urgent care is for problems that need attention today but are not life-threatening.
Is urgent care cheaper than the emergency room?
For the same minor problem, urgent care and telehealth visits usually cost far less than an emergency department visit, and waits are usually shorter. Emergency departments are equipped and staffed for life-threatening problems, so use them when you need them.
Can I use telehealth for a new problem?
Yes, for many minor illnesses, rashes, urinary symptoms, medication questions and mental-health concerns. The clinician will tell you if you need an in-person exam, tests or emergency care.
What if I am not sure?
Call a nurse advice line if one is available to you — for example NHS 111 in England, 811 in most Canadian provinces, healthdirect on 1800 022 222 in Australia, or the nurse line on the back of many insurance cards. If in doubt about an emergency, call your emergency number.