(bright music)
-: We've all been there.
You or someone in your family is sick or hurt,
then comes the moment when you realize
you need medical care, or you're just not sure,
but you'd rather be safe than sorry.
Yep. You better get that checked out.
But before you head out the door,
think about where to go for care.
As a smart health care consumer,
choosing the right place to get care
can help save you time and money.
You want to get the right care at the right time and place
so you can get healthy fast.
You also want to make sure
you're getting care at the right cost.
Sound complicated?
It's really not once you understand your options.
Unless you have a true medical emergency,
your first call should be to your doctor,
your healthcare partner.
Your doctor has easy access to your records
and understands your health history.
Your doctor also coordinates all of your care
and can choose treatments to help keep you healthy.
But what if you can't see your doctor right away
and need medical care quickly?
In that case, you have other options,
urgent care and emergency room care.
Each option provides a different level
of care, cost and experience.
Things like convenience and how long
you have to wait for care.
When your doctor is not available,
urgent care centers are a good option
and you don't need an appointment.
You can just walk right in.
It's a great place to go for minor cuts, burns,
broken bones, muscles sprains or strains.
You can also get treatment for many common illnesses
like coughs fever, flu, and skin rashes.
Your cost will probably be more than a visit to your doctor,
but it will probably cost less
than what you pay for the emergency room.
And urgent care wait times are usually
much shorter than at the ER.
Go to the emergency room or call 911
if you have a serious medical problem.
These are problems that might cause death or disability
if you don't get help right away, things like chest pain,
shortness of breath, severe asthma attack, major burns,
severe injuries and kidney stones.
The ER treats the sickest people first.
So if you have a minor injury or illness,
you may wait a long time to get help.
Understanding your health care options helps get you
the right care at the right time,
in the right place and at the right cost.
So be smart, check out your options and how they compare.
Then choose the one
that best fits your needs and preferences.
And off you go to better care.
To learn more about where to go for care,
visit the Optum Care website at optumcare.com/wheretogo.