As cold, flu, and RSV cases rise across the region, health leaders say knowing where to seek care can make a big difference.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is reminding residents to start with their primary care doctor for non-emergency symptoms like fever, congestion, or body aches. Dr. Lisa Harris, the organization’s senior vice president and chief medical officer, said primary care doctors know patients’ medical histories best and can provide the most appropriate care.
When primary care isn’t available, other options may help. Those include virtual care visits, urgent care centers, or a 24/7 nurse call line that can answer health questions and guide patients to the right level of care.
Excellus officials said many emergency room visits could be avoided. In 2024, about one in four ER visits by Excellus members involved conditions that could have been treated by a primary care or urgent care provider.
Health leaders say using the right care option can reduce wait times, lower costs, and keep emergency rooms available for true emergencies.
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