Knowing whether you need an urgent care center or emergency room when you or a loved one needs prompt medical care can feel confusing and overwhelming.
When someone you care about is sick or injured, your top priority is getting high-quality medical care as quickly as possible.
What’s often overlooked in those stressful moments is that, for many non-life-threatening conditions, visiting an urgent care center can be faster, more affordable and still provide the appropriate level of care.
What is the difference between urgent care and the ER?
What is urgent care?
Urgent care centers provide prompt medical treatment for a wide range of non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. They are often open later than primary care offices and welcome walk-in visits.
Urgent care offers a convenient, often more affordable alternative to the ER for non-emergency conditions, especially when primary care offices are closed or unavailable.
What is an emergency room (ER)?
An emergency room is a hospital facility that provides 24/7 access to prompt medical care for severe illnesses, injuries and life-threatening conditions.
ER vs urgent care: key differences at a glance
- Severity of condition
As a general rule, go to the ER for life-threatening emergencies and to urgent care for non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses. - Wait times
Urgent care centers are typically faster than a hospital ER. - Cost
Urgent care centers are generally more affordable than ER visits. - Availability
ERs are open 24/7, while urgent care centers offer extended hours.
When to go to urgent care vs ER
Reasons to go to urgent care instead of the ER
Urgent care is the right choice for fast, convenient treatment of minor illnesses or injuries that aren’t life-threatening. These centers typically offer shorter wait times and lower costs than a hospital ER.
When you should go to the ER instead of urgent care
The emergency room is the safest and fastest option for severe or potentially life-threatening symptoms, such as chest pain, trouble breathing or heavy bleeding.
Should I go to urgent care or the emergency room?
Use this chart as a general guide for where to start or the best first choice. As mentioned above, go to the emergency room for severe or potentially life-threatening symptoms.
Symptom guide: where to go first
| Symptom or Condition | Emergency Room (ER) | Urgent Care |
| Cold, flu, sore throat | X | |
| Ear or sinus infections | X | |
| Minor cuts, bruises or skin infections | X | |
| Minor cuts that may need stitches | X | |
| Rashes or mild allergic reactions (no trouble breathing) | X | |
| Mild asthma symptoms | X | |
| Stomach viruses (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) | X | |
| Urinary tract infections (UTIs) | X | |
| Mild dehydration | X | |
| Insect bites and stings | X | |
| Sprains, strains or minor fractures | X | |
| Chest pain or chest pressure | X | |
| Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath | X | |
| Signs of stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty) | X | |
| Severe abdominal pain | X | |
| Head injury with loss of consciousness | X | |
| Uncontrolled or heavy bleeding | X | |
| Major trauma or car accidents | X |
Urgent care vs emergency room for common symptoms
Cold, flu, fever and infections
If you have a cold, flu, fever or minor infection and your primary care office is closed or you can’t wait for an appointment, urgent care is a convenient option for high-quality treatment.
Minor injuries, sprains and cuts
Alamo City Urgent Care can evaluate minor injuries, provide on-site X-rays and treat cuts that require stitches
Chest pain, breathing issues and severe symptoms
These potentially life-threatening symptoms should always be evaluated in an emergency room.
Urgent care vs ER cost and wait time
Urgent care vs ER cost comparison
Urgent care visits typically cost far less than emergency room visits. According to the National Library of Medicine, the average cost of an urgent care visit is about 92 percent lower than a freestanding ER visit.
This is because ER care often includes higher facility fees and additional testing, which can significantly increase overall costs.
ER vs urgent care: wait times explained
Urgent care centers generally offer shorter wait times. Emergency rooms must prioritize patients based on the severity of their condition, which can result in longer waits for less critical issues.
Insurance coverage for urgent care vs ER visits
Most insurance plans cover urgent care visits, often with lower copays compared to ER visits. Coverage varies by plan, so it’s helpful to check your benefits in advance when possible.
Can urgent care send you to the ER?
What happens if your condition is too serious?
If an urgent care provider determines that your condition requires emergency treatment, they will direct you to the ER for a higher level of care.
How urgent care coordinates emergency transfers
If a provider determines a patient needs care beyond what is offered at Alamo City Urgent Care, they will refer you to the nearest ER. We do not coordinate emergency transfers at this time.
Is urgent care considered emergency care?
What urgent care can and cannot treat
Urgent care treats acute but non-life-threatening conditions. It does not replace the ER for serious emergencies.
Does urgent care handle emergencies?
Urgent care can assess symptoms and stabilize patients but does not manage life-threatening emergencies long term.
Why choose Alamo City Urgent Care over the ER?
Fast, affordable care without ER stress
Alamo City Urgent Care provides prompt and compassionate care for non-life-threatening conditions without the long wait times or high costs often associated with emergency rooms.
Walk-in convenience for non-life-threatening conditions
Patients are welcome to visit any Alamo City Urgent Care location without an appointment and may book ahead online to save time.
Trusted local care when you need it most
With four convenient locations across San Antonio, Alamo City Urgent Care provides compassionate, personalized care from experienced providers who focus on clear communication, accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment, helping you feel confident in every care decision.
When to visit Alamo City Urgent Care
Symptoms we commonly treat
- Colds, flu, fever and respiratory infections
- Ear and sinus infections
- Minor cuts and burns
- Sprains, strains and minor fractures
- Rashes and mild allergic reactions
- Nausea, vomiting and dehydration
- Insect bites and stings
When urgent care is the smarter choice
When you need prompt care, for a non-life-threatening injury or illness, urgent care can provide the prompt, efficient and appropriate treatment you need.
FAQs: urgent care vs ER
Is urgent care cheaper than the ER
In most cases, yes. Urgent care visits are typically much more affordable than ER visits.
Can urgent care treat broken bones or stitches?
Yes. Urgent care can evaluate and treat minor fractures and provide stitches for many cuts.
Should children go to urgent care or the ER?
Infants, toddlers and young children with non-life-threatening illnesses or minor injuries are often good candidates for urgent care.
What time should I choose urgent care over the ER?
Urgent care is a good option during extended hours when your primary care provider is unavailable.
Do I need an appointment for urgent care?
No. Appointments are never needed at Alamo City Urgent Care.
We welcome walk-in visitors Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You may also book ahead online to save time.
