Between sore throats, joint pain, minor infections, or more serious conditions, knowing where to seek care can feel overwhelming in the moment. Decisions are often influenced by cost, wait times, and convenience. Many people default to urgent care or even the emergency room, but in many situations the onsite clinic is the best first stop. Clinics can treat a wide range of acute issues, reduce unnecessary costs, and save time.
Acute Care Needs
Onsite clinics are equipped to manage most routine and minor urgent concerns. This includes common illnesses such as strep throat, flu-like symptoms, sinus infections, or earaches. They also treat musculoskeletal concerns like sprains, strains, or joint pain. In many cases, providers can prescribe medications, order lab work, or recommend imaging when needed. This means faster access to care without the higher out-of-pocket costs of urgent care.
When Urgent Care is Appropriate
Urgent care centers are designed to manage conditions that require prompt attention but are not life-threatening. Examples include minor fractures, deep cuts requiring stitches, or infections that cannot wait for a next-day appointment. If the onsite clinic is closed, or if the clinic provider advises more specialized resources, urgent care is the right choice. The key difference is that urgent care should serve as a backup, not the default.
When to Go to the Emergency Room
The emergency department should be reserved for life-threatening situations. These include chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of stroke, severe head injury, or uncontrolled bleeding. Emergency departments are equipped for critical interventions but are also the most expensive setting for care. Using the ER for non-emergency issues drives up costs and often results in long waits. Knowing this distinction helps in making informed, confident choices.
Cost and Access Considerations
National data show that nearly half of ER visits are for conditions that could be treated in a lower-cost setting like urgent care or primary care. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that common reasons for avoidable ER visits include respiratory infections, minor injuries, and ear conditions. Redirecting even a portion of those visits to onsite clinics leads to significant savings for both employees and employers. In addition, a recent study found that patients who used workplace health centers reported lower total healthcare costs and fewer external visits, while maintaining high satisfaction with their care.
How the Onsite Clinic Fits In
The onsite clinic should be viewed as the front door to care. Providers can assess symptoms, treat most acute concerns, and determine when referral to urgent care or the ER is appropriate. This step not only saves time and money but also creates continuity of care since the clinic maintains employee health records and can follow up as needed. The onsite clinic also offers convenient virtual care options, reducing the need for urgent care or in-person visits. For patients managing chronic conditions, the clinic offers another layer of support to keep health stable and reduce emergency visits.
Table: When to Visit Urgent Care Vs. Onsite Primary Care Clinic
| Type of Care | Onsite Primary Care Clinic | Urgent Care |
| Best For |
Ongoing health needs, preventive care, and minor illnesses |
Immediate, non-life-threatening issues that need quick attention |
| Examples of Conditions |
|
|
| Services Provided |
|
|
| Access & Cost |
|
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Tip for Patients: When in doubt, start with your onsite primary care clinic. They can handle most needs directly and refer you to urgent care or emergency services if necessary—saving you time and money.
Smart Care Starts at the Clinic
Choosing where to go for care is not always easy in the moment, but starting with the onsite clinic simplifies the decision. Most common acute needs can be addressed quickly, conveniently, and at a lower cost than urgent care or the ER. For employers, encouraging employees to use onsite services first helps build a culture of accessible, affordable care while ensuring urgent and emergency resources are reserved for when they are truly needed.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Emergency department visits. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/emergency-department.htm
Weinick, R. M., Burns, R. M., & Mehrotra, A. Many emergency department visits could be managed at urgent care centers and retail clinics. Health Affairs, 29(9), 1630–1636. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2009.0748
