While it would be ideal to never have to go to the emergency room, there are times when it's unavoidable. That can wind up being very expensive. According to the Census Bureau, total annual emergency room visit payments add up to about $76.3 billion, which is roughly the GDP of the Philippines. How can you avoid having to spend so much money? We're here to help you by providing three ways to save on emergency medical bills.

1. Ask Yourself If You Truly Need to Go to the Emergency Room

In some situations, there may be clear-cut signs that you need immediate medical care as quickly as possible. For example, traumatic injuries or sudden pain in certain areas of the body (things that could indicate something like an inflamed appendix, for instance) are situations that you can't wait to resolve on their own. However, there are other scenarios that may not necessitate an emergency hospital visit. Instead of overcrowding an emergency room, options like walk-in urgent care clinics and telehealth visits may provide a more affordable solution.

2. Visit a Walk-In Clinic Near You

There are many walk-in clinics cropping up in urban and suburban areas alike for both general and pediatric medicine. This is partly an attempt to keep emergency rooms as uncrowded as possible. It's also a matter of convenience since hospitals can be a good distance away for some people. Do you have a situation where you could conceivably go to one of these clinics for the medical care you need? The fee for this is usually a lot lower than going to an emergency room in a hospital. Some of these clinics also offer telehealth visits.

3. Avoid Dangerous Situations

The most straightforward way to save on emergency medical bills is to avoid medical emergencies before they occur. While it may not be possible to completely eliminate the need for emergency medical care, making safer lifestyle choices can significantly reduce your risk of serious injuries. Practices like safe driving and wearing protective gear when you do dangerous work can go a long way.

Do you need to see a doctor quickly at a reasonable price? Call Southwest Urgent Care Center today. We provide urgent care services for patients of all ages, plus lab work, physicals, and DOT exams.