Knowing where to go for care can save you time, stress, and money. Many medical visits end up costing more than expected simply because the wrong level of care was used. This guide helps MPB Health members understand when to use Telehealth, Urgent Care, or the Emergency Room and how to make the smartest choice for your situation.
Why Choosing the Right Level of Care Matters
Healthcare costs vary significantly depending on where you receive care. Emergency Rooms are designed for life-threatening situations and are the most expensive option. Urgent Care and Telehealth can often resolve common medical concerns at a fraction of the cost.
Choosing the right level of care helps:
Reduce out-of-pocket expenses
Avoid unnecessary Sharing Needs
Get faster treatment
Preserve community sharing for larger medical incidents
Telehealth
Best for Non-Emergency and Everyday Medical Needs.
Telehealth is the fastest and most affordable option for care. MPB Health memberships include free unlimited access to virtual providers for many common concerns.
When Telehealth Is the Right Choice:
Cold, flu, or sinus symptoms
Minor infections
Rashes or skin concerns
Allergies
Prescription refills
Mental and behavioral health visits
General medical questions
Why Members Should Start With Telehealth
Virtual Urgent Care is available 24/7/365
No travel or waiting rooms
$0 cost for MPB Health Members
Prescriptions are sent directly to your pharmacy
Telehealth is ideal for early treatment and can often prevent symptoms from becoming more serious.
Urgent Care
Best for non-life-threatening issues that need in-person care.
Urgent Care clinics are designed for situations that are not emergencies but cannot wait for a regular doctor appointment.
When to Use Urgent Care:
Minor fractures or sprains
Stitches
Minor burns
Fever without severe symptoms
Infections requiring testing
X-rays or basic imaging
Cuts or injuries that are not life-threatening
Important Tips for Urgent Care Visits
Present yourself as a cash pay patient
Ask for the best possible cash price
Request an itemized bill
Keep documentation for your records
Urgent Care visits are typically much less expensive than Emergency Room visits and often provide faster service.
Emergency Room
Only for True Medical Emergencies.
Emergency Rooms should be used for serious or life-threatening conditions. They are equipped for trauma care, advanced imaging, and immediate intervention.
When to Go to the Emergency Room
Chest pain or difficulty breathing
Stroke symptoms
Severe head injuries
Uncontrolled bleeding
Loss of consciousness
Severe allergic reactions
Major trauma or accidents
Cost Considerations
Emergency Room visits can be extremely expensive, even for minor issues. Using the ER for non-emergencies often leads to higher out-of-pocket costs and unnecessary Sharing Needs.
How This Impacts Health Sharing
Health Sharing is intended for larger medical incidents, not small or routine appointments.
Important reminder: Sharing requests should be submitted for significant medical needs, not isolated or low-cost visits such as basic urgent care or routine telehealth appointments.
Using Telehealth or Urgent Care whenever appropriate helps:
Keep costs manageable
Reduce the likelihood of reaching your IUA unnecessarily
Protect the sharing community for major medical events
Get Help Choosing the Right Care
MPB Health Concierge is available to help you make informed decisions before you seek care. They can guide you in choosing the appropriate level of care for your situation, help you locate urgent care centers, explain pricing expectations, assist with navigating telehealth services, and answer questions related to sharing eligibility.
📞 Concierge: 1-800-519-2969
📧 Email: concierge@mympb.com
🌐 Member Portal: https://app.mpb.health/
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition or medical decision.