Doctor's Office, Urgent Care Clinic or Emergency Room? A Guide to Help You Choose the Best Place to Receive Acute Health Care

If you are alarmed by unusually severe symptoms, call your primary care physician immediately. The doctor can tell you whether emergency treatment is necessary.

For medical problems that don't require emergency care, most doctors will rearrange their schedule to see you the same day.

When to go to the Emergency Room…

Getting care when you need it…

Barnabas Health Care Network Health Tips and Resources

Emergency room (ER) wait times are at an all-time high. You have options, even when you need care right away. Unless it's a true emergency, and your physician is not available, urgent care centers are an option for same day care. Most are open weeknights and weekends.

For example, you may want to consider an Urgent Care Facility for the below problems:

  • Sprains and strains 
  • Backache 
  • Migraine 
  • Small cuts 
  • Minor eye injuries 
  • Dog bite 
  • Persistent cough, cold, flu 
  • Vomiting or diarrhea

When you have a life threatening situation, the emergency department of your nearest hospital is your best option for:

  • Chest pain
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Coughing or vomiting blood
  • Severe burns
  • Deep cuts or bleeding that won't stop
  • Sudden blurred vision
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Sudden dizziness, weakness, or loss of coordination or balance
  • Numbness of face, arm or leg
  • Sudden, severe headache (not a migraine)
  • Seizures
  • High fever
  • Head trauma
  • Poisoning
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Suicidal or homicidal feelings
Barnabas Health Care Network Health Tips and Resources

Participants in the ACO include:

  • Clara Maass Medical Center
  • Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
  • Saint Barnabas Medical Center

For more information, use any of the following contact options:

Mail:
RWJBarnabas Health Partners
95 Old Short Hills Road
West Orange, NJ 07052

Phone:
1-866-218-1266

Beneficiaries with questions may contact: 
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

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