When you or a loved one isn’t feeling well, it can be hard to know where to go for help.
Do you call your doctor, head to urgent care, or drive straight to the emergency room? And, what about the “on call” service available after hours — how does that fit in?
At Finger Lakes Community Health, we want to make this decision easier. Knowing where to go for medical attention helps you get the right care at the right cost.
Primary care
Your primary care provider is the person who knows you best. They have your medical history, your medication list, and your insurance information. They know what treatments have worked for you before and what allergies you may have.
Primary care is the place to go for regular checkups, managing long-term conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, and everyday concerns such as colds, minor infections, or aches and pains. If you’re unsure, call your primary care office first during business hours. FLCH often has same-day or next-day appointments available, and sometimes we can arrange telehealth visits too, from your home to our office.
On-call services
Here’s something many people don’t realize: You can still reach a primary care provider (or dentist) after our health centers close.
When calling your community health center, we will connect you with our on-call service. This is available for both medical and dental needs.
On call is for those times when you’re worried or unsure about your health situation. Maybe your child has a fever at midnight, or you just started a new medication and have questions about side effects. Perhaps you’re not sure if that sore throat can wait until morning, or if you should head for urgent care. Our on-call providers can talk you through your symptoms, answer your questions, and even schedule a follow-up appointment for the next day if needed.
Of course, if you’re experiencing chest pain, having difficulty breathing, or seizures, call 911.
For young families, on call can be especially helpful. Parents often wonder if a baby’s reaction to a vaccine, a sudden rash, or a fever needs immediate attention. Our providers can guide you on what to do next, sometimes it’s as simple as monitoring at home, other times it’s getting an X-ray or scheduling a morning visit.
The big advantage of on call is that we already know you. We have your medical records, your medication list, and your insurance on file. That means less guesswork, better advice, and no surprise bills for simply getting reassurance.
Urgent care
Urgent care is designed for problems that can’t wait until the next available doctor’s appointment but aren’t life-threatening. They’re often open evenings and weekends.
Common reasons to go to urgent care include:
- Ear infections or sore throats that can’t wait
- Minor sprains or possible small fractures
- Urinary tract infections
- Cuts, burns, or minor allergic reactions
- Fevers or flu-like symptoms that don’t improve with home care
Urgent care can be a good option when you’re out of town or can’t reach your primary care office. But remember, most urgent care centers do not have your medical records. Some may even require payment up front before your insurance is processed.
Whenever possible, start with your primary care office or on-call service first, so you don’t make an unnecessary trip.
ED or 911
The emergency department is for the most serious, life-threatening situations. If you are having chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden weakness or seizures, severe injury, or heavy bleeding, call 911 immediately. Do not try to drive yourself to the hospital or wait until morning.
Emergency rooms are equipped for trauma, heart attacks, strokes, severe abdominal pain, and other conditions that require rapid, hospital-level care. They save lives every day — but they are also the most expensive and often the most crowded option. That’s why it’s important to save the ER for true emergencies.
