Free clinics, urgent-care centers, and emergency rooms serve different needs. Choosing the wrong setting can delay care or increase costs.
Use the emergency room or call 911 for life-threatening symptoms. Use urgent care for many same-day non-life-threatening problems. Use free or sliding-scale clinics for ongoing care, routine visits, and non-emergency needs when available.
Use the Emergency Room for Emergencies
Hospital emergency departments evaluate and stabilize emergency medical conditions. Medicare-participating hospitals with emergency departments must provide a medical screening examination when someone seeks emergency care, regardless of ability to pay.
This does not mean the visit is free. Ask about financial assistance after urgent needs are addressed.
Symptoms That May Require Emergency Care
Call 911 or go to the emergency room for chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke symptoms, severe allergic reaction, severe injury, uncontrolled bleeding, sudden severe headache, fainting, seizure, severe abdominal pain, overdose, immediate suicide risk, pregnancy complications, severe burns, or sudden vision loss.
Urgent Care
Urgent-care centers usually treat non-life-threatening problems that need attention soon, such as minor cuts, sprains, mild asthma symptoms, ear pain, sore throat, urinary symptoms, minor burns, simple X-rays, flu-like symptoms, and some rashes.
Capabilities vary. Ask before visiting when imaging, labs, IV fluids, pediatric care, or specific medicines may be needed.
Free and Sliding-Scale Clinics
Free clinics and sliding-scale clinics are usually better for primary care, medication refills, chronic disease follow-up, preventive care, vaccines, referrals, non-urgent symptoms, and follow-up after hospital care.
Cost Questions
Before a non-emergency visit, ask about the self-pay price, facility fees, labs, X-rays, procedures, payment due today, sliding fees, separate bills, follow-up, and prescriptions.
Related Resources
- How to Find a Free or Low-Cost Clinic Near You
- What Is a Free Clinic and Who Can Use One?
- How Free Clinics, Community Health Centers, and Public Hospitals Help Patients
Sources
- CMS: Emergency room rights
- CMS: Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act
- HRSA: Find a Health Center
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
This article is for general information only and is not medical or legal advice. If you think symptoms may be an emergency, seek emergency care.