Know Where to Go When You are Sick or Injured

Published: Monday, January 25, 2021

by: Sakib Maya, MD | Urgent Care
Northeast Georgia Physicians Group

Are you sick or injured and not sure what healthcare option is best for you? We get it. It can be overwhelming. That’s why Northeast Georgia Physicians Group offers a variety of care options to meet your needs within your timeframe. After reading through all of your options below, if you still have questions, feel free to contact us through our contact form.

  • E-visits
  • Video (virtual) visits
  • After Hours (TeleMed)
  • Urgent Care
  • Emergency Care
  • Primary Care – Internal Medicine or Family Medicine

Let us help you understand when to seek the different types of care for you or your loved one.

E-Visits

E-Visits are conducted through the secure, online MyChart website and mobile app, so you do not have to visit the doctor’s office. E-visits are safe, fast and affordable. There is a standard $40 cash fee for each visit.

If you are over 18 years old and have any of the following sinus, respiratory or women’s health issues, an E-visit may be right for you.

  • Symptoms of COVID-19
  • Sinus issues
  • Urinary problems
  • Women’s health

Benefits  

  • Obtain safe, fast, effective care for some basic healthcare issues through your computer.
  • You can coordinate and communicate with a provider from the comfort of your home or office.
  • Low cost.
  • Available after hours and weekends.

Not optimal for: 

  • Emergency care
  • Care for more advanced conditions
  • Patients under 18

Learn more about E-Visits.

Video (virtual) visits

During a virtual visit, you will connect directly through a phone or computer with an NGPG provider to diagnose and treat your health need.

Video visits are available for various specialties, including primary care, internal medicine, pediatrics and more. View the full list of specialties offering video visits.

If necessary, your provider will work with you to schedule an in-person visit.

Benefits  

  • Video visits can be done from anywhere. This means you can avoid traveling to a clinic location.
  • Offers after hours and weekend hours.

Not optimal for:

  • Emergency care
  • Patients with many co-morbidities who need close physician monitoring.

Learn more about Video visits.

After Hours (TeleMed)

If you or a family member are an established patient (including pediatrics) and have a non-emergent issue after hours or on the weekend, you can connect with an NGPG on-call provider at no charge.

The process is simple and easy – Call your provider’s regular business line and hold until the Telemed services answer. Provide the representative with the necessary information, and the on-call provider will call you back within an hour.

Benefits  

  • You can get quick answers to your healthcare questions at no charge.
  • Care is provided after hours and on the weekends.

Not optimal for: 

  • People who are not already Northeast Georgia Physicians Group patients
  • Care during normal business hours

Learn more about After-Hours Care.

Urgent Care

If your primary care doctor is not available, NGPG Urgent Care Clinics provide care for non-life-threatening medical conditions such as colds, flu, bronchitis, earaches, seasonal allergies, sinus infections, sore throat, urinary tract infections, pink eye, sprains, minor back pain, minor cuts and burns, minor broken bones, minor muscular pain, minor eye injuries, minor abscesses, poison ivy and more.

Benefits 

  • You do not need an appointment, and you can save your spot online.
  • You can visit after hours and on weekends.
  • Care is provided by board-certified physicians and advanced practitioners.

Not optimal for: 

  • Patients who are not able to drive to the closest urgent care location.
  • Those who would like the same co-pay as a primary care visit — Your co-pay may be higher at Urgent Care.
  • Patients who want a doctor who is as close to their medical history as their primary care provider.
  • Those younger than six months old.

More information about NGPG Urgent Care.

Emergency Room

Emergency room care should be reserved for very serious or life-threatening problems such as chest pain or pressure, severe abdominal pain, coughing or vomiting blood, severe burns, deep cuts or bleeding that won’t stop, sudden blurred vision, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, sudden dizziness, weakness or loss of coordination or balance, numbness in the face, arm or leg, sudden severe headache (not a migraine), seizures, high fevers, new discomfort that is caused by exercise or any condition you believe is life-threatening.

Benefits 

  • High-quality emergency care from a specialized team of board-certified emergency medicine physicians, expert nurses, paramedics and technicians.
  • Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Not optimal for: 

  • Patients with a minor injury or illness.

More about Emergency Room Services.