A person may sometimes require medical attention outside their doctor’s typical working hours. In these instances, they may use alternative services, such as urgent care centers or telemedicine platforms.

A person always needs to seek emergency medical care in life threatening situations.

This article explores when to consider contacting a doctor after hours, what the options are, and insurance and payment considerations.

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According to a 2012 article, the term “after-hours care” refers to care for medical issues that occur:

  • between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. on weekdays
  • on weekends
  • on holidays

A person may want to consider contacting a doctor after hours if they:

  • have a minor cut that requires stitches
  • suspect they have a sprain or strain
  • are experiencing severe vomiting, abdominal pain, or signs of dehydration
  • are experiencing other nonemergency symptoms they are worried about
  • need prompt advice about an existing physical or mental health condition

When to go to the emergency room

People always need to seek emergency medical attention if they are experiencing potentially life threatening injuries or symptoms. Some examples include:

A person can go directly to their nearest emergency room or call 911 or their local emergency number.

If a person is experiencing a medical issue after hours, they may be able to choose from several different care options:

Extended hours at primary care practices

Some primary care practices offer an after-hours service.

If a person calls one of these practices after hours, they may be able to leave a message for an on-call doctor who will call them back within a few hours.

Additionally, some practices offer a nurse triage line. Here, a nurse can evaluate a person’s symptoms, give care advice, determine if emergency care is needed, or determine if they need to schedule a doctor’s appointment.

People may want to contact their doctor’s office to find out if they offer an after-hours service.

Urgent care centers

Urgent care centers typically have more facilities, such as X-ray machines and laboratories for blood tests and urinalysis, than primary care practices. They also provide care for individuals with an immediate but non-life-threatening health issue.

They also often offer expanded hours into the evening without needing to make an appointment.

Telemedicine services

Telehealth services are technology-based healthcare platforms that allow people to speak with a healthcare professional remotely through video calls, instant messaging, or audio calls.

These services may be particularly useful for those living in rural areas, where access to in-person healthcare services may be more limited.

Emergency rooms

Sometimes, an emergency room may be the only after-hours healthcare service available. For example, while urgent care centers are often open into the evening, they are not open overnight.

Emergency rooms triage people who need medical attention based on the severity of their injuries or condition. Therefore, anyone not experiencing a medical emergency may have to wait for several hours after arriving at the emergency room before a healthcare professional sees them.

Additionally, some hospital departments provide after-hours numbers after discharge in case an individual has concerns or complications after treatment, such as surgery or cancer treatment.

People always need to call 911 or their local emergency number immediately in the event of a medical emergency.

Regardless of the after-hours care option someone chooses, they will need to pay for their care. The exact amount a person needs to pay will depend on factors such as:

  • their health insurance plan
  • the treatment facility where they received care
  • the type of treatment they received

If a person does not have medical insurance, they will need to pay for their treatment themselves.

People may want to consider speaking with a doctor outside of usual working hours if they are experiencing an immediate but non-life-threatening health issue.

Some after-hours care options include telemedicine platforms, urgent care centers, and extended hours at primary care practices. Sometimes, these options may not be available, and a person needs to seek care at an emergency room instead.

Individuals always need to call 911 or their local emergency number immediately in the case of a medical emergency.