Memorial Hermann is the place to go for health care in Greater Houston. Whether it be minor or serious health issues, we have a variety of care options for you and your family. It’s important to get the right level of care when you need it. Whether you need primary care, urgent care or emergency services, we can help you get convenient and personalized care. The guidelines below are designed to help you decide where to go for care.
Choosing the Right Sites of Care
- Why is the type of facility I choose to go to for care so important?
- Why is it important to have a primary care physician or PCP?
- When should I seek care with a primary care physician?
- When should I go to an urgent care center?
- When is a virtual urgent care visit appropriate?
- The list of symptoms that a PCP or urgent care center treat seem similar. How do I determine where to go?
- When should I seek care in an emergency room?
- What is the difference between care you receive at an urgent care and the ER?
- Why not just go to the ER when I'm experiencing a medical issue?
- What if I’m not sure what kind of care I need?
In-Person or Virtual Primary Care
Book a same-day or next-day clinic or virtual visit for non-emergency needs.†
In-Person or Virtual:
- Cough, sore throat
- Cold, flu, sinus or ear pain
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Allergies
- Urinary tract infection
- Eye irritation, pink eye
- Rashes, minor burns
In-Person only:
- Cuts, scrapes
- Sprains, back pain
- STD testing and treatment
- Medication refills
- Other non-emergency health needs
Virtual Urgent Care
Expanded hours for virtual visits.†
- Cough, sore throat
- Cold, flu, sinus or ear pain
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Allergies
- Urinary tract infection
- Eye irritation, pink eye
- Rashes, minor burns
- Other non-emergency health needs
Urgent Care Center
Same-day, evening, weekend and holiday care for most non-life threatening health care issues.†
Everything in virtual urgent care plus
- Cuts requiring stiches
- Sprains
- Back pain
- Broken bones
- STD testing and treatment
- Other non-emergency health needs
Emergency Care
For life-threatening emergencies that require immediate care. Call 911 or go to the nearest ER.†
- Chest pain
- Sudden difficulty breathing
- Deep cut or wound
- Bleeding that won’t stop
- Fainting or head injury
- Major fractures
- Seizure
- Abdominal pain
- Severe burn
- Other life-threatening emergencies
† The above lists of conditions and symptoms are not intended to be exhaustive.
Tips for Selecting the Right Medical Care
How Does Telemedicine Work?
Tips for Selecting the Right Medical Care
When you suffer from severe pain or an injury, time is of the essence and should not be spent determining your health care options in the moment. Know your choices in advance so you’re ready to act when the need arises.
How Does Telemedicine Work?
With virtual care, not only do you help prevent the spread of contagious illnesses by not exposing others, you also eliminate a commute and cut waiting room time.
Feeling sick and not sure what to do? Contact the free 24/7 Nurse Health Line available to those living in Texas.
When you or a family member is feeling sick, but you are not sure if you need to see a doctor or go to the hospital, contact the free Nurse Health Line. Experienced, bilingual (English/Spanish) nurses will help you decide when and where to go for medical care. Trained nurses are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, whether you have health insurance or not. You do not have to be a Memorial Hermann patient to use the Nurse Health Line. The Nurse Health Line is not designed to assist with life-threatening conditions or emergencies. For life-threatening emergencies, please call 911.
Call (713) 338-7979 or toll-free (855) 577-7979 to speak with a nurse.