Which Option is Right For Me?

Making the right decision about your health can be tricky, especially when you aren't feeling well. Penn State Health has many levels of care to meet your needs.

Emergency Care

You should call 911 or come right to the emergency room if you are systemically sick. That's when an illness affects your entire body, and you have severe pain or sudden onset of severe symptoms, a fever that won't break, or "something doesn't work", like you're unable to move an arm or leg or breathe normally

Typical conditions treated:

  • Head injuries
  • Seizures
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Compound fracture
  • Shortness of breath
  • Uncontrolled bleeding

Urgent Care

Unless a condition is life-threatening, a trip to an urgent care is a better use of a patient's time and resources to treat injuries, fevers, infections and other ailments. Urgent care clinics have far shorter wait times than the ER and cost less than a traditional hospital emergency room visit.

Our clinics are staffed by experienced physicians who treat both adult and pediatric patients and are available 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. If necessary, urgent care providers can also connect you with a higher level of care.

Typical conditions treated:

  • Cuts or minor burns
  • Sprains or joint pain
  • Back or muscle pain
  • Upper respiratory infection
  • Bronchitis

Walk-in Care

Similar to an urgent care clinic, walk-in clinics are a better use of a patient's time and resources for minor injuries and ailments.

Our walk-in clinics do not require an appointment.

Typical conditions treated:

  • Cuts or minor burns
  • Sprains or joint pain
  • Upper respiratory infection
  • Bronchitis

Virtual Health Care

Penn State Health provides scheduled virtual visits with your own provider to meet your healthcare needs. To arrange a virtual appointment, please contact your provider’s office.

Additionally, Penn State Health offers a Virtual Primary Care Clinic, giving patients the opportunity to establish a relationship with a primary care provider and receive care from the comfort of their home.
 

MyChart Symptom Checker

Not feeling well and unsure what to do next? MyChart Symptom Checker helps you better understand your symptoms and guides you to the appropriate level of care. By answering a series of questions about how you're feeling, you can receive personalized recommendations that may include self-care options, contacting your provider, scheduling an appointment, visiting urgent care, or seeking emergency care when needed.

Available through MyChart, Symptom Checker provides convenient, 24/7 access to trusted guidance, helping you make informed decisions about your health from the comfort of home. While it is not a substitute for professional medical advice, it can help you determine the next best step when health concerns arise. 

MyChart eVisits

Get care for common medical concerns without leaving home. MyChart eVisits allow you to communicate with your healthcare provider online by completing a secure questionnaire about your symptoms. Your responses are reviewed by a provider, who will assess your condition and send treatment recommendations, prescriptions when appropriate, or guidance on next steps.

Available through MyChart, eVisits offer a convenient way to receive care for select non-emergency conditions, often saving you a trip to the office. With access from your computer or mobile device, you can connect with your care team when it works best for your schedule.