Is That ER Visit Necessary?

And What Will It Cost You?

Ouch! You accidentally cut yourself and need stitches. Urgent Care Clinics and Emergency Rooms (ERs) both provide stitches, so how do you decide where to go?

Choose an urgent care clinic if your cut is deep, but you can stop the bleeding. Urgent Care Centers provide care for serious, but non-life-threatening conditions, such as:

• Minor cuts and burns
• Sprains, strains, and broken bones
• Fevers, colds, and flu

Choose an emergency room if your cut is severe and bleeding heavily requiring immediate medical treatment. An emergency medical condition or illness has acute symptoms which could result in serious harm to your health, bodily functions, or organs if immediate medical attention is not received. For example:

• Persistent bleeding that won’t stop
• Chest pain or shortness of breath
• Sudden inability to talk or move, or sudden slurred speech

What You Could Pay

Urgent Care Clinic

• Average Cost:
  • $300 ($200 UCR)
• Your Cost:
  • $20 (Wellness and Minor Care Clinic)
  • $40 (at an Aetna PPO outside of the Municipality of Anchorage)

Emergency Room

• Average Cost:
  • $3,000 ($2,000 UCR)
• Your Cost:
  • $400 (at a PPO within the Municipality of Anchorage)
  • $400 (at an Aetna PPO outside of the Municipality of Anchorage)
  • $1,800 (at a non-PPO within the Municipality of Anchorage)

Example only based on the UCR (usual, customary and reasonable rate) up to the Plan’s allowed amount after the deductible. There is no deductible required for services received at a Wellness and Minor Care Clinic.

The Bottom Line

You’ll save money if you choose a Wellness and Minor Care Clinic or Urgent Care Clinic for any urgent, non-emergency care you need. Go to aetf.com, Health and Welfare, Find a Provider, Aetna’s Choice POS II to find a provider in the Aetna network outside of the Municipality of Anchorage. Then add it to your phone contacts, so you’ll be ready to get urgent care fast when you need it.