Messaging
Getting Care
If you have a non-life-threatening injury or illness, you should look for the nearest urgent care location. Urgent care treats routine medical needs in easily accessible locations across the region. You do not need to go to a hospital for this care.
If you have a life-threatening injury or illness, an emergency department (ED), also known as an emergency room (ER), is best equipped to handle major medical emergencies, with the necessary equipment and trained staff to provide immediate, advanced care.
In the United States, some but not all pharmacies may have urgent care locations in their buildings. You cannot receive care or be prescribed medication at a pharmacy unless there is an urgent care location on site.
Go the nearest urgent care for minor or routine needs, including:
- Mild asthma
- Allergies
- Back or muscle pain
- Bronchitis
- Broken bone without deformity/that does not protrude through skin*
- Cuts and minor burns
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Earache
- Fever
- Headache
- Skin conditions
- Sore throat
- Sprains or joint pain
- Upper respiratory infection
- Urinary tract infections
- Vomiting
*Find an urgent care location with imaging, such as X-rays.
Go to the nearest emergency department for life-threatening medical emergencies, including:
- Bleeding that won’t stop
- Broken bone with deformity/that protrudes through the skin
- Chest pain or pressure
- Difficulty breathing
- Head injuries
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Severe abdominal pain
- Severe burns
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden, severe headache, paralysis or weakness
To find the nearest urgent care location, search “urgent care” on your mobile device.
If you are in need of emergency care, dial 911 on your mobile device or seek the nearest hospital emergency department by searching “ER” or “emergency department” on your mobile device. Calling 911 will connect you to an operator who will dispatch an ambulance to take you to the nearest appropriate medical facility.
Emergency care will be provided regardless of your ability to pay in an emergency department. However, it is strongly recommended you secure travel medical insurance prior to travel as you may receive a bill after care. Bills can be extremely costly without insurance. Routine care that is not emergent can still be quite expensive without travel medical insurance in the United States.
While it’s possible to refill your prescription, some may not be approved for use in the United States, and it may take longer to refill if it requires a physician’s order outside the United States. It is best to bring all the necessary prescribed medications with you for your trip.
Social Media Graphics
The social media graphics below provide ready-to-share messaging to help people understand how to receive medical care, for both visitors and the local community.
To explore the full collection, click here.
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Urgent Care vs. ER
View CaptionShort caption:
Not every health concern requires an ED visit, and not every urgent care can handle an emergency. Knowing where to get care helps you receive the right care faster while helping keep critical resources available for those who truly need them.Extended caption:
Not every health concern requires an ED visit, and not every urgent care can handle an emergency. Knowing where to get care helps you receive the right care faster, and often at a lower cost.An urgent care clinic is ideal for minor illnesses and injuries. The emergency department (ED) is reserved for serious, life-threatening conditions. When you choose the right place, you’re helping keep critical resources available for those who truly need them.
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Call 911
View CaptionShort caption:
In a life-threatening emergency, dial 911. Calls are free from any phone, including international mobile phones. The phone operator will dispatch an ambulance that will take you to the nearest appropriate medical facility. Translation services are available.Extended caption:
In a life-threatening emergency, dial 911. Visiting the states from abroad? It’s free to call from any phone, including international mobile phones. Operators can connect you to translation services.Call for medical emergencies such as chest pain, stroke symptoms, severe bleeding or difficulty breathing. The phone operator will dispatch an ambulance to take you to the nearest appropriate medical facility.
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How to Call 911
View CaptionShort caption:
In an emergency, every second matters. Knowing how to call for emergency services and what to expect can make a critical difference in saving time and lives.Extended caption:
In an emergency, every second matters. Knowing how to call for emergency services and what to expect can make a critical difference.If you need to call 911, take a breath, speak clearly and follow the operator’s instructions. These operators are trained to guide you through what to do and will dispatch the appropriate help for your emergency.
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Know These Symbols
View CaptionShort caption:
New to U.S. healthcare? Here’s a quick guide to common medical symbols.Large red “ER” letters or the word “Emergency” : Emergency care
White “H: on blue background: Hospital (full medical services, including emergency care)
Note: Patient care is only available at pharmacies if an urgent care is onsite.
Extended caption:
Navigating healthcare in a new country can be challenging. This quick guide will help you understand the common medical symbols you’ll see.White “H” on blue background: Marks the location of a hospital, where you can access a full range of medical services, including emergency care.
Large red “ER” letters or the word “Emergency”: Marks the location of emergency medical care.
It’s important to note that, in the United States, not all pharmacies have urgent care locations in their buildings. You can only receive care or be prescribed medication at a pharmacy if there is an urgent care location on-site.
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Get Medical Care Fast
View CaptionShort caption:
For our international visitors, it’s important to recognize common medical symbols in case of an emergency. A white “H” on a blue background indicates a hospital. Here, you can receive full medical services, including emergency care. For emergencies, look for large red “ER” letters or the word “Emergency.”Extended caption:
For international visitors, recognizing common medical symbols can make a critical difference in an emergency. A white “H” on a blue background indicates a hospital. These facilities provide a full range of medical services, from routine care to lifesaving treatment.If you require immediate medical attention, look for emergency departments, identified by large red “ER” letters or the word “Emergency.” Emergency departments are open 24 hours, 7 days a week, and provide care for urgent, life-threatening conditions.
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Where to Get Care
View CaptionShort caption:
Urgent care clinics are for non-life-threatening problems including cuts, sprains, burns, fevers and infections.Emergency rooms are for life-threatening conditions including trouble breathing, chest pain, head injury, seizure, stroke symptoms and severe bleeding.
Extended caption:
Navigating healthcare in an unfamiliar place can be challenging. Knowing where to go before you need care can save you time, money and stress.Urgent care centers are the right choice for non-life-threatening conditions such as minor injuries, fevers, infections or illnesses that can’t wait for a regular appointment. Emergency rooms are equipped for serious, potentially life-threatening situations such as chest pain, difficulty breathing or severe bleeding.
If you’re not sure, ask yourself: Can this wait a few hours, or does it need immediate attention? This can help you decide the best place to receive care.
Videos
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What is Urgent Care?
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Urgent Care vs. Emergency Care
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Essential Medical Tips for Summer Travel