Urgent Care, Telehealth or the ER at 9 PM?
It's 9 PM and something's wrong. How to decide between the ER, an urgent care that's still open, and a video visit from your couch.
If it's 9 PM and you're deciding between urgent care or the ER, start with one question: could this be life-threatening? If yes, go to the ER or call 911. If not, an urgent care that's still open, or a telehealth video visit, can usually handle it for far less money and a shorter wait.
The harder part is that many urgent cares close in the early evening, which is exactly when a lot of people end up in an emergency room for something a clinic could have treated. Here's how to sort it out.
When is it an ER problem?
Emergency rooms are built for problems that could threaten your life, a limb or your eyesight, and they have the specialists, scanners and operating rooms to match. If any of the signs in the box below apply, don't drive yourself to an urgent care first. Time matters more than cost in those situations.
Call 911 or go to the ER if… you have chest pain or pressure; trouble breathing or lips turning blue; signs of a stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech, sudden confusion); a seizure; fainting or loss of consciousness; a serious head injury; heavy bleeding that won't stop with pressure; a bone pushing through the skin or a badly deformed limb; a severe allergic reaction with swelling of the face or throat; sudden, severe belly pain or the worst headache of your life; thoughts of harming yourself; or, in a baby under 3 months, any fever.
What can an urgent care handle tonight?
Urgent care is for problems that need to be seen today but aren't emergencies. At AfterOurs that includes:
- Colds, flu, sore throats, coughs, and sinus and ear infections, with rapid strep, flu and COVID tests
- UTIs, rashes, pink eye and STI testing and treatment
- Vomiting and dehydration, including IV fluids
- Cuts that need stitches, sprains, burns, possible minor fractures and splinting, and abscess drainage
- EKGs, when a clinician needs to check your heart rhythm during a visit
Our clinics have X-ray equipment, but X-ray staff aren't on hand at every hour, so call ahead if you think you'll need one. If a clinician decides you need more than an urgent care can offer, they'll tell you and point you to the right place.
When does virtual urgent care make sense?
A telehealth video visit is the lowest-effort option when you don't feel like leaving the house, or the kids are already asleep. An AfterOurs clinician can often handle problems like a cold or flu, a sinus infection, pink eye, a UTI, a rash, allergies or a mild stomach bug by video, and send any prescription to your pharmacy. Telehealth runs 8 AM to 11 PM daily and is $75 self-pay.
Video can't replace hands on. Anything that needs an exam, a test, an X-ray, stitches or a procedure needs a clinic. If the clinician decides you need to be seen in person, your telehealth payment counts toward the clinic visit.
How much does each option cost?
For a problem that isn't an emergency, urgent care usually costs far less than an ER, often a fraction of it. (More on urgent care vs. ER costs.) At AfterOurs, self-pay prices are posted up front:
- Telehealth video visit: $75 self-pay
- In-clinic visit: $175 self-pay, $250 with a service like a rapid flu test or X-ray, and never more than $330
If you're using insurance, we contract with all major commercial and government plans, including Colorado Medicaid and Medicare. We can't guarantee a particular commercial plan has us in network; if yours is out of network or denies the visit, we drop you to the self-pay rates. Your copay, deductible and coinsurance depend on your plan. Details are on our cost and insurance page.
Finding an urgent care open now
Our clinics are open until 11 PM every day, so at 9 PM you still have time to walk in. A few practical tips for a late visit:
- Book online to hold your place, so you can wait at home instead of in the lobby.
- Bring a photo ID, your insurance card if you have one, and a list of your medications and allergies.
- Don't wait until 10:55. Arriving with some time to spare makes it easier for the team to do everything you need, including any tests.
And if you're truly unsure whether it's an emergency, err on the side of the ER. Nobody will fault you for being careful.
Where to find us
Four clinics across metro Denver, all ages welcome, se habla español:
- Hampden (Southeast Denver): 8 AM–11 PM daily
- Littleton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
- Thornton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
- Highlands: Mon–Fri 5–11 PM, Sat–Sun 8 AM–11 PM
Walk in, or book online. Prefer video? Book a telehealth visit.
Medically reviewed by Peter Martinuzzi, MD
This article is general health information, not medical advice for your situation. If you are worried, come in or book a telehealth visit — and if it is an emergency, call 911.