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Choose the type of care you need

Understand the differences between primary care, virtual care, urgent care and the emergency room

A doctor shows a patient a scale model of a knee

You can find the right care at the right time with Geisinger as your partner in health. The best type of care all depends on what you need in the moment.

Primary care

Primary care focuses on long-term health goals and offers a range of services for your ongoing health and well-being.

When to visit your primary care provider

  • Routine care such as colds and flu, UTIs, minor infections and family medicine
  • Preventive care like vaccines and annual exams
  • Chronic illness treatment plans to manage symptoms and reduce complications
A nurse works with a patient in an examination room

Telehealth

With telehealth, or virtual care, get medical care remotely through devices like your smartphone or computer.

When to use telehealth

  • Routine care needs including colds, UTIs, minor infections and family medicine
  • Specialty care like mental health services, follow-up appointments and monitoring chronic conditions
  • Call 800-275-6401 for information on Geisinger's telehealth services and scheduling

Teladoc

  • No service fee for Geisinger Health Plan members
  • Speak to a Teladoc provider (non-Geisinger healthcare provider)
  • Schedule an appointment or access 24/7 virtual care
A doctor looking at a tablet

Urgent care

Urgent care centers and walk-in clinics offer flexible weekday, evening and weekend hours. Save time by checking in online or walking in for a same-day appointment.

When to visit urgent care or walk-in clinics

  • Immediate but non-emergency health issues like flu and colds, UTIs, minor breaks to a leg or arm and stitches for minor wounds
  • Use instead of the emergency room to reduce wait times and copays
A nurse takes a patient's blood pressure

Emergency room

Emergency room visits are for severe and life-threatening conditions.

When to visit the emergency room

The ER is for critical situations that require immediate attention such as:

  • Chest pain or sudden shortness of breath
  • High fever, severe pain or poisoning
  • Sudden worsening of a chronic condition

ER visits often have longer wait times, as critical patients are prioritized, and higher copays

A medical professional prepping a syringe

Choose the type of care you need

Primary care

Find a provider and make a primary care appointment

Geisinger Gold Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and HMO D-SNP plans are offered by Geisinger Health Plan/Geisinger Indemnity Insurance Company/Geisinger Quality Options, Inc., health plans with a Medicare contract. Continued enrollment in Geisinger Gold depends on contract renewal. Geisinger Health Plan, Geisinger Indemnity Insurance Company, and Geisinger Quality Options, Inc. are part of Geisinger, an integrated health care delivery and coverage organization. Risant Health is the parent organization of Geisinger.

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