Quick answer: If a health problem could turn dangerous fast, like chest pain, trouble breathing, or signs of a stroke, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For everyday illnesses and minor injuries that still need same-day attention, urgent care is usually the faster, lower-cost choice. Total Health Urgent Care in Covington is open 7 days a week, 7 AM to 7 PM, with on-site X-ray and lab, and walk-ins are welcome.
Choosing between urgent care and the emergency room can be stressful, especially when you or your child feels awful and you just want the right care quickly. This guide breaks down when each one makes sense for Covington and the Northshore, so you can decide with confidence.
When to go to the ER or call 911
Some symptoms need emergency care right away. The American College of Emergency Physicians advises calling 911 or heading to the nearest emergency department for warning signs like these:
- Chest pain or pressure, especially with sweating, nausea, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, or back
- Trouble breathing, gasping for air, or bluish lips
- Signs of a stroke: sudden face drooping, arm weakness, or slurred speech (remember the word FAST)
- Severe bleeding that will not stop with firm pressure
- A sudden, severe headache, or one with vision changes, numbness, or confusion
- A severe burn, a major head injury, a seizure, or loss of consciousness
- A severe allergic reaction, a possible poisoning, or thoughts of harming yourself
This list is not complete. When something feels life-threatening, do not wait and do not drive yourself. Call 911. Urgent care centers, including ours, are not a substitute for emergency care.
When urgent care is the right choice
Urgent care is built for problems that need attention today but are not life-threatening. A simple way to decide: if you are asking “can someone examine and treat this today?” rather than “could this turn dangerous in the next few minutes?”, urgent care usually fits. Common reasons people walk in to Total Health include:
- Cold and flu, sore throat, and sinus or ear infections
- COVID, flu, strep, and RSV testing
- Painful urination and urinary tract infections
- Sprains, strains, and simple fractures, with on-site X-ray
- Minor burns, cuts, and wound care
- Rashes, nausea, vomiting, and fever
- School and sports physicals, drug screening, and DOT exams
Urgent care vs. the ER at a glance
What Total Health Urgent Care can treat
Total Health is a walk-in urgent care and primary care clinic at 73015 Hwy 25, Suite A, in Covington. We handle a long list of everyday illnesses, injuries, exams, and screenings, with on-site X-ray and lab so you often get answers and treatment in a single visit. We are open every day of the week, 7 AM to 7 PM, including weekends, and walk-ins are welcome. We also offer primary care, so you can use Total Health as your regular source of care. You can see the full list on our urgent care services page.
Why Northshore families choose Total Health
- Open 7 days a week, 7 AM to 7 PM, before school or after work
- On-site X-ray and lab for same-visit answers
- Transparent self-pay pricing, and most major insurance accepted
- Founded by Jennifer Duncan, APRN, a nurse practitioner with more than 25 years in emergency and urgent care medicine
- Serving Covington, Mandeville, Madisonville, Abita Springs, Folsom, Franklinton, and across St. Tammany Parish
Frequently asked questions
Is urgent care cheaper than the emergency room?
For non-life-threatening problems, yes, usually by a wide margin. Nationally, an uninsured ER visit for a common issue often runs $1,000 to $2,500, while an urgent care visit usually costs a small fraction of that. At Total Health, a self-pay office visit is $130. For a true emergency, though, cost should never stop you from calling 911.
Do I need an appointment?
No. Walk-ins are welcome 7 days a week, 7 AM to 7 PM. You are also welcome to call us at (985) 400-5370 with any questions.
Can urgent care take X-rays?
Yes. Total Health has on-site X-ray for injuries such as sprains and possible simple fractures, with results during your visit.
Should I take my child to urgent care or the ER?
For minor illnesses and injuries, such as fevers, ear infections, or a sprain, urgent care is a good fit. For serious symptoms like trouble breathing, a severe injury, or a child who is hard to wake, call 911 or go to the nearest ER. When in doubt, call 911.
Feeling unwell? Walk in today. Total Health Urgent Care, 73015 Hwy 25, Suite A, Covington, LA 70435. Open 7 days a week, 7 AM to 7 PM. Call (985) 400-5370, or see our pricing and insurance details.
This article was prepared by the Total Health Urgent Care team. Total Health Urgent Care was founded by Jennifer Duncan, APRN, MSN, FNP-C, a nurse practitioner with more than 25 years in emergency and urgent care medicine. It is general information, not medical advice. For a medical emergency, call 911. Source: American College of Emergency Physicians.
