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When you’re not feeling well, deciding where to go for care can be confusing. Should you book a visit with your primary care provider or head straight to urgent care? At Maniya Health, we want to make this choice easier so you can get the right care when you need it most.
Our team of primary care providers and urgent care providers explains whether primary care or urgent care is right for your needs.
What primary care covers
Primary care is your long-term partner in health. Your primary care provider at Maniya Health knows your medical history, tracks changes over time, and helps prevent problems before they start.
Establishing a primary care provider relationship and receiving regular preventive care can reduce long-term medical costs.
You should turn to primary care for:
- Annual checkups and physical exams
- Vaccinations and preventive screenings
- Chronic condition management (like diabetes or high blood pressure)
- Non-urgent concerns (like mild digestive issues, sleep problems, or medication refills)
In other words, you can think of primary care as your first line of defense for ongoing health and wellness.
What urgent care covers
Urgent care fills the gap when you need fast treatment, but it’s not life-threatening. It’s especially helpful after hours or on weekends when your primary provider may not be available.
Having access to care when your primary provider isn’t available can help reduce unnecessary emergency room visits by about 17%. In fact, some studies estimate that up to 27% of ER visits could be avoided with the right alternatives.
It’s especially helpful after hours or on weekends when your primary provider may not be available. For example, at Maniya Health, we’re open late on most nights — hours past a typical doctor’s office — so you can get the care you need when you need it.
Urgent care is a good choice for:
- Minor injuries like sprains, cuts, or simple fractures
- Flu, colds, sore throats, and ear infections
- Rashes or minor allergic reactions
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Fevers that don’t resolve with at-home care
Urgent care helps you feel better quickly and prevents small issues from turning into bigger problems.
When to call 911 instead
Neither urgent care nor primary care is right if you’re experiencing a true emergency. Always call 911 or go to the emergency room for:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Shortness of breath
- Severe abdominal pain
- Sudden weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking
- Major injuries or uncontrolled bleeding
When in doubt, call 911 or head to your nearest emergency room.
So, what’s the best choice for you?
The best choice depends on your situation. If it’s routine or ongoing, primary care is the place to start. If it’s urgent but not life-threatening, urgent care is the better option. And if it’s a true emergency, don’t wait; go straight to the ER.
At Maniya Health, we provide both primary care and urgent care services, so you don’t have to choose between two separate providers. Our team is here to keep you healthy day-to-day and support you when urgent needs arise.
We also offer virtual care for both primary care and sick visits. That means whether you need a yearly checkup, help with sudden flu symptoms, or a same-day video visit from home, our team is here for you.
Get the care you need today
Whether you need to schedule an exam or book a sick visit, call our Hamilton, Robbinsville, or Hopewell, New Jersey, office. You can also book an appointment online.