What Level of Care Do I Need?

Not sure what type of medical care you need? Use this guide for suggestions.

For answers to frequently asked questions about emergency care, click here.

Medicine has become so specialized that it’s hard to know where to turn first when you need a doctor. You want the best care possible without wasting your time or money, so you need to know whom to see for what.

AtlantiCare strives to offer the right solution for every medical problem, and you can count on care being available 24/7, should an emergency arise.

Primary Care Providers

Schedule an appointment with an AtlantiCare Primary Care Physician for basic problems, or if you’re not sure what’s wrong.

Primary Care Physicians treat problems such as:

• Colds
• Flu
• Sore throats
• Minor injuries
• Aches
• Pains
• Routine health exams
• Undiagnosed health concerns

Primary Care Providers are available during the week, or for a phone consultation, if you’re not sure what’s wrong, or where you should go.

Urgent Care Centers

For non-life-threatening problems, go to an AtlantiCare Urgent Care Center which offers the same resources as a Primary Care facility. What’s different is that Urgent Care Centers are available to walk-ins (no appointment needed) and have extended hours.

Urgent care centers treat problems such as:

• Ear infections
• Eye injuries
• Sprained ankles
• Simple Cuts
• Mild sports injuries
• Simple burns
• Minor injuries from falls

Emergency Departments (ER's)

If you even suspect that you’re having a stroke or heart attack but aren’t sure, call 9-1-1 and insist on being taken to the hospital ER by ambulance immediately.

Describe your symptoms to the 9-1-1 operator so paramedics know which hospital is equipped to deal with your emergency. Every second counts in an emergency, and can mean the difference between life and death, or survival with or without being handicapped or limited for life.

AtlantiCare ERs are located at its ARMC Mainland and Atlantic City Hospitals. They’re government certified, ready to receive you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are equipped to handle trauma, strokes, heart attacks, and any other emergencies.

Going by ambulance, rather than car, can save your life because an ambulance is a mini-hospital. Paramedics give you temporary relief, and instantly contact the hospital ER so they’re ready to take over the minute you arrive, without losing a second.

Emergency clinicians recognize, diagnose, and make sure that you receive the immediate care you need. Should a specialist be needed, ER Clinicians make sure the right one is present to take care of you immediately.

Rush to the hospital ER for:

• Heart attack symptoms
• Stroke symptoms
• Trauma
• Car accidents
• Bike accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Falls
• Accidental poisoning
• Severe bleeding
• Broken bones
• Asthma attacks
• COPD
• Animal attacks: biting or mauling

Harrah’s Regional Trauma Center at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, the region’s only state-designated trauma center, treats the most critically ill and injured patients in southeastern New Jersey.