Navigating your care options: When to use virtual care

October 31, 2025

When you're not feeling well, the last thing you want to do is leave your home, drive to the emergency room (ER), and sit in a crowded waiting room. But the decision to go to the ER can be difficult, especially since a large number of visits could have been treated elsewhere, like a primary care office, urgent care, or even a virtual visit. By knowing your options, you can make informed decisions about when and where to seek care. 

Start with your primary care doctor

When you’re sick, start by contacting your primary care doctor. They know your medical history and can provide the most personalized care. Plus, many primary care doctors offer virtual care visits.

If your primary care doctor is not available for a same-day appointment, or you need virtual care outside of their office hours, here are other convenient and effective options for getting the care you need:

• Urgent care and retail clinics: Check to see where your local in-network urgent care or retail care clinics are located. Urgent care clinics can provide faster and cost-effective treatment, often at a lower cost than the ER.¹
• Virtual care: Virtual care options can provide convenient and rapid care when you are sick too. If your primary care doctor doesn’t offer virtual care, check with your insurance provider to see if virtual care options are covered under your plan.

When to use virtual care

With over 2.5 million Florida Blue commercial members utilizing virtual visits in 2024, and a significant 67% of those visits focused on behavioral health,² it's clear that virtual care is becoming an increasingly popular option. And it's no wonder - virtual care offers a convenient and effective way to get care from the comfort of your own home, or wherever you are when sickness strikes. The benefits of virtual care include:

• Convenience: Receive medical attention from anywhere, at any time.
• Cost-effective: Virtual care is often less expensive than an urgent care or an ER visit.
• Timesaving: No need to wait in line or travel to a physical location.
• Reduced risk of germ exposure: Avoid exposure to other illnesses in the ER or waiting rooms.

Virtual care is a great option for many conditions, including:

• Minor illnesses, such as colds and sinus infections
• Upper respiratory infections, like flu and RSV
• Urinary tract infections
• Allergies and mild asthma attacks
• Skin conditions, including acne and rashes
• Mental health concerns, like anxiety and depression
• Support for chronic conditions, such as elevated blood sugar and blood pressure

When to go to the ER

While virtual care is a great option for many conditions, there are times when you should go to the ER, including:

• Life-threatening emergencies, like chest pain or major injuries
• Critical or life-threatening symptoms, like difficulty breathing or severe headache
• Trauma or serious accidents

By understanding when to use virtual care and how to navigate your care options, you can get the care you need without breaking the bank or sitting in a waiting room. Remember, virtual care is not a replacement for emergency care, but it can be a convenient and effective way to receive medical attention for non-life-threatening conditions.

To learn more about your options for getting care, read our related article.

¹ MedlinePlus: When to use the emergency room

² Florida Blue. (2025). Member data report. (January to December virtual visits for commercial members)