Health Care Information Series
PCDC’s Family Support Service program offers a variety of services for the community, one of which is assistance with health care benefits. With the help of PCDC staff, community members can gain access to information about available health care benefits and assistance to apply.
Urgent Care vs. Primary Care Physicians vs. Emergency Room
Who Do I Call When I Need Medical Care?
Before you find yourself sitting for hours in a hospital emergency room, or bogged down by expensive medical bills, here are some things you should know when you or a family member needs immediate medical care. For non-life-threatening problems, you should first contact your primary care physician (PCP), who is your gateway to finding the most appropriate type of care. He or she will either schedule an appointment or direct you to: a specialist; urgent care, or Emergency (ER). If your doctor is not available, or if you can’t meet with your doctor when you need medical care, you may choose to visit an urgent care center. Most urgent care centers are open for extended hours and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
What Is Urgent Care?
Urgent Care centers are setup to assist patients with an illness or injury that does not appear to be life threatening, but also can’t wait for a primary care doctor to see them. For the days and hours that primary care physicians are closed, or for someone who does not have a primary care physician, urgent care centers provide easy access to quality healthcare without the hassle and cost of the emergency room. Some examples of such conditions include:
- Accidents and falls
- Sprains and strains
- Moderate back problems
- Breathing difficulties (i.e. mild to moderate asthma)
- Bleeding/cuts not bleeding a lot but requiring stitches
- Diagnostic services, including x-rays and laboratory tests
- Eye irritation and redness
- Fever or flu
- Vomiting, diarrhea or dehydration
- Severe sore throat or cough
- Minor broken bones and fractures (i.e. fingers, toes)
- Skin rashes and infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Physical exam
When Do I Go To The Emergency Room Directly?
Here are some basic guidelines for determining whether your medical condition is an emergency or simply a condition that needs immediate attention. Ask yourself these questions: are my symptoms severe and/or life threatening?; did the symptoms occur suddenly and unexpectedly?; is there excess bleeding, extreme pain, or broken bones? If the answer to any of these questions is, “yes”, then you need to go to the emergency room.
An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth More Than a Million Pounds of Cure
7 out of 10 deaths among Americans are from chronic diseases, and almost 50% of adults have at least one chronic illness, many of which are preventable. We encourage everyone to get a wellness physical exam this year – this is covered by your insurance, even under high deductible plans.
Urgent Care in Center City Philadelphia – myDoc Urgent Care
MyDoc Urgent Care is conveniently located in the heart of Center City, between Broad and Locust Streets. myDoc offer board certified family medicine providers, x-Ray diagnosis ,and commonly used lab / Rx / OTC med / Orthopedic supplies 7 days a week. They have Chinese speaking staff in the office to assist with all visits.
Address: 1420 Locust St. Philadelphia, PA 19102
Telephone: (215) 800-1909
Operation Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00am-8:00pm
Saturday – Sunday: 9:00am-5:00pm
Source: http://www.myDocUC.com
Additional local urgent care clinics in the Chinatown area include:
Jefferson Urgent Care – Washington Square
Address: 700 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Telephone: 215-503-7300
Operation Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 8:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Jefferson Urgent Care – Rittenhouse
Address: 2021 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Telephone: 267-443-2020
Operation Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 8:30 AM – 8:30 PM
RediClinic Hamilton Street
Address: 2000 Hamilton Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Telephone: 215-567-2017
Operation Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM