6 Times You Should Choose Telehealth Instead of Urgent Care — and Save Hundreds

6 Times You Should Choose Telehealth Instead of Urgent Care — and Save Hundreds

Let’s be honest — urgent care in Oregon is expensive, time-consuming, and often completely unnecessary for the average illness or injury. Between long wait times, surprise billing, and traffic just to sit in a room full of coughing strangers, most urgent care trips could’ve been avoided entirely.

That’s where telehealth steps in as a faster, safer, and dramatically more affordable option.

At Oregon TeleMed (OTM), we see it every day — patients who thought they “had to” go to urgent care, only to realize a simple video visit solved it in minutes.

Here are 6 common situations when telehealth is actually the smarter move:

1. When You Wake Up Sick — But Still on the Fence

Fever, cough, sore throat, sinus pressure… you’re miserable, but not ER miserable. Instead of dragging yourself out of bed, telehealth providers can diagnose and treat flu, COVID, strep, or sinus infections right from your phone. You’ll get a prescription sent to your pharmacy before you would’ve even parked at urgent care.

2. When You Just Need a Refill — Not a Lecture

Need an asthma inhaler, migraine medication, anxiety prescription, thyroid refill, or blood pressure med? Urgent care will charge you over $200 just to renew something you already know works for you. Telehealth makes it simple — fast renewals, no shaming, no hours wasted.

3. When You Get a Mild Injury — and Just Want to Know If It’s Serious

Twisted ankle? Cut your hand while chopping vegetables? Got a rash after yard work? Don’t panic. Telehealth providers can visually assess injuries over video, recommend at-home treatment, or confirm whether stitches or X-rays are actually needed. Half the time, the answer is, “You’re fine — here’s what to do.”

4. When Your Child Gets Sick After 5 PM

Kids have a magical way of developing fevers right as clinics close. Instead of rushing across town in pajamas with a crying toddler, telehealth allows parents to get fast answers, peace of mind, and treatment options — without disrupting bedtime.

5. When You’re Traveling or Nowhere Near a Clinic

Camping in Bend? Visiting family in Medford? Don’t know where the nearest urgent care is — or whether they even take your insurance? OTM serves patients anywhere in Oregon, whether you’re on a road trip, at work, or even staying in an Airbnb.

6. When Money Actually Matters

Let’s talk numbers.

Type of Visit Average Cost in Oregon Typical Wait Time
Urgent Care Visit $180–$350+ 1–3 hours
Emergency Room Visit $800–$2,000+ 3–6 hours
Oregon TeleMed Visit $0 with most insurance / $125 cash Same-day

Why spend hundreds — when the solution can be delivered to your phone in under 15 minutes?

When Not to Use Telehealth

There are times you should go in person — like severe chest pain, uncontrolled bleeding, broken bones, or difficulty breathing. But for everything mild to moderate, telehealth is faster, cheaper, and absolutely safer.

The Bottom Line

If you’re asking yourself, “Do I really need urgent care for this?” — that’s your sign to try telehealth first.

At Oregon TeleMed, we offer:

? Same-day appointments — 7 days a week
? Local Oregon-based providers
? Prescription refills & work notes
? Insurance-friendly or affordable cash options

Skip the waiting room. Keep your money. Heal from home.

? Book your visit now at OregonTeleMed.com