Urgent Care Vs. Emergency Room: Where Should I Go?
January 25, 2026
Urgent care or the emergency room (ER)? You know you need care, and you don’t want to – or can’t – wait. But you’re not sure which is the right place to go.
Many people may choose the ER because it’s more familiar. But urgent care services can save you both time and money while giving you the care you need. Here’s how to choose between urgent care and the ER.
When to Choose the Emergency Room
“Go to urgent care for non-life-threatening injuries and illness,” explains Arthur Calise, D.O., medical director of Hackensack Meridian Urgent Care PLUS in West Orange and Hoboken. According to Dr. Calise, you should choose ER services for:
- Anything heart-related, (heart attack symptoms include chest pains, shortness of breath, pain in one or both arms)
- Bad cuts (if there is excessive bleeding or if there are signs of infection) and burns (if it is large, deep, or on a sensitive part of your body such as your face)
- Broken bones
- Signs of stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty)
- Severe pain, especially in your chest or stomach
- Sudden vision loss
- Suicidal thoughts
- Trouble breathing
For most other situations, consider urgent care.
Urgent Care Vs. the Emergency Room: What’s the Difference?
Emergency rooms typically have more advanced equipment than traditional urgent cares, and they’re led by emergency-trained physicians. That used to mean you had to go to the ER for a lot more reasons.
However, that’s changing. According to the Urgent Care Association, about 10 percent of the 15,000+ urgent care centers in the U.S. are known as “high acuity urgent care centers” - meaning they can handle more severe cases. At Hackensack Meridian Health, Urgent Care PLUS is one of these centers. The goal is to reduce the crowding in the ERs and get people home and feeling better faster.
“Urgent Care PLUS is different from standard urgent care because we offer expanded capabilities to treat more complex cases,” says Dr. Calise. “Our facilities feature on-site X-rays, CT scans, EKG and advanced lab testing, making us a true one-stop solution.”
Urgent Care PLUS also offers IV rehydration, antibiotics and even heart medication. And, says Dr. Calise, “Unlike other or many urgent care facilities, our facilities always incorporate emergency medicine board-certified physicians and experienced emergency medicine nurses.”
Benefits of Urgent Care Vs. the Emergency Room
Even if there isn’t a high acuity urgent care center near you, traditional urgent care clinics shine in a couple of categories. First, urgent care vs. emergency room cost is always a consideration. “Your visit is billed as an urgent care visit, meaning lower copays than an ER trip,” says Dr. Calise.
Speed and convenience are two other areas where urgent care services have a big benefit over ER services. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, you’ll spend an average of nearly three hours in the emergency room. At an urgent care facility, the average visit is an hour or less.
“We have control of how fast things are going and what we’re ordering, and it gets done in rapid time,” says Dr. Calise.
Emergency rooms have to triage their patients. Basically, how quickly they’ll see people depends on how bad their illness or injury is. For something like a minor sprain or dehydration, you might be waiting a while.
Compare that to urgent care. “We welcome walk-ins and treat patients of all ages, with no appointments necessary,” says Dr. Calise.
Benefits of ER Services
Even though Urgent Care PLUS can treat some complex cases, there are some clear benefits to the emergency room. ERs are open 24/7, while urgent cares close for a time.
ERs are also set up to handle any emergency. They can call on the resources of the rest of the hospital. And, thanks to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, ERs will treat everyone regardless of their ability to pay.
When to Go to Urgent Care Vs. the Emergency Room: The Bottom Line
Life-threatening injury or illness? Head to the ER. For everything else, urgent care may help you get seen, treated, and on the road to recovery – fast.
“Urgent Care PLUS offers a lower stress environment with shorter wait times compared to the emergency room,” says Dr. Calise. “We’re committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care to our communities, and a convenient alternative for urgent medical needs.”
Next Steps & Resources:
- Meet our source: Arthur G. Calise, D.O.
- Find a location and book an appointment online. Walk-ins are welcome at all Hackensack Meridian Urgent Care and Urgent Care PLUS locations.
The material provided through Healthier You is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.
