Know Your Options: Where Should You Go for the Right Care?

It’s high season in Southwest Florida. That means roads are busier, restaurant reservations are scarcer and checkout lanes are longer wherever you shop.

It also means crowded emergency departments (ED). Lee Health is reporting near-capacity conditions that have created longer than usual wait times for medical attention and reduced the availability of hospital beds. 

Lee Health always has you covered, whether you have the sniffles, a sprained wrist, or something more severe.

But knowing where to go for minor, non-emergency injuries or illnesses can significantly reduce wait times for patients in need of emergency care and save you time and money. 

Read on to learn how to decide to get the right care at the right place—for you. Know your best options. We’ll help you!

In-person care

Your primary care physician’s office should be your first go-to for any initial questions or concerns. Lee Health understands the importance of personalized, one-on-one interactions.

READ: Why developing a relationship with your doctor matters

In-person services provide valuable insights, expert advice, referrals, and a specific, long-term plan for your health. 

• About 100 office practice locations to choose from.
• Find a doctor that matches your needs.
• Call 239-481-4111 to book an appointment at a location near you.

If you can’t wait for an appointment with your primary care provider, the following options are available:

Virtual Care 24/7: Meet with your care provider from the comfort of your home.

For non-emergencies or everyday care, choose one of our many TeleHealth options. You can connect with and talk to a doctor anytime, anywhere, for a flat fee of $49.

• Lee TeleHealth On-Demand Video Visits. Provides on-demand live video consultations with a healthcare provider.
• Lee TeleHealth Scheduled Video Visits. Provides scheduled live video consultations with your primary care provider or specialist.
• Lee TeleHealth e-Visits. A message-based telemedicine service that doesn’t require appointments or real-time communication.
• Symptom checker. Choose a symptom, and we'll connect you to the appropriate care options based on your condition.

Urgent Care: 7 days a week. Lee Health Convenient Care is a good choice for medical issues that need same-day attention but are not emergencies. Get treatment for common illnesses, including allergies, cold and flu, ear infections, labs, TB tests, IVs, EKGs, respiratory Illness, skin ailments, strep throat, and urinary tract infections. Each site has X-ray capabilities for fractures and broken bones (not protruding through the skin).

Find a facility near you for non-life-threatening conditions. Click here to view current convenient care wait times.

Mobile Urgent Care: DispatchHealth

The DispatchHealth house call team arrives at your door ready and able to treat a wide variety of illnesses. This same-day in-home urgent care is available by appointment and without a referral. 

Hours: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Phone: 239-322-3435

Emergency Care: 24/7. If you have a medical emergency or feel your life is at risk, immediately call 911. Lee Health EDs are the most appropriate venue for care for severe or life-threatening issues. Patients are triaged in the ED, meaning cases are prioritized with the most severe conditions treated first. 

Please note that calling 911 – which should also be limited to serious emergencies – does not guarantee you’ll be seen faster once you get to the ED. Regardless of how they arrive at the hospital, all patients are triaged to provide the safest care.

If you have severe flu symptoms such as difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chest pain/pressure, dizzy spells or severe or persistent vomiting, visit your nearest emergency room.

You should also visit the emergency room if experiencing:

• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Broken bones or dislocated joints
• Facial lacerations
• Deep skin abrasions or severe cuts requiring stitches
• Vaginal bleeding with pregnancy
• Fevers and rash
• Head and eye injuries
• Sudden change in mental state

WATCH: Know the difference between ED vs. Convenient (Urgent) Care

Lee Health Convienent Care (Urgent Care) Locations

No appointment is necessary. Open seven days a week.

Convenient Care – Metro Parkway
13340 Metro Parkway, Suite 100 
Fort Myers
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
Phone: 239-343-0490

Convenient Care – Page Field 
4771 S. Cleveland Ave.
Fort Myers 
Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
Phone: 239-343-9800

Convenient Care – Pine Island Road
1682 NE Pine Island Road
Cape Coral
Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Phone: 239-424-1655

Convenient Care – Bonita Health Center
3501 Health Center Blvd.
Bonita Springs
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., M-F
8 a.m.-4 p.m., S-S
Phone: 239-949-1050

Golisano Children’s Urgent Care
3361 Pine Ridge Road
Naples 
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
Phone: 239-254-5920

Emergency Department Locations

Open 24/7

Cape Coral Hospital
636 Del Prado Blvd.
Cape Coral
Phone: 239-424-2000

Gulf Coast Medical Center
13681 Doctor’s Way
Fort Myers
Phone: 239-343-1000

Lee Memorial Hospital 
2776 South Cleveland Ave.
Fort Myers
Phone: 239-343-2000

HealthPark Medical Center
9881 S. HealthPark Drive
Fort Myers
Phone: 239-343-5000

Lee Health Coconut Point
23450 Via Coconut Point
Estero
Phone: 239-468-1000

Golisano Children’s Hospital
9881 S. HealthPark Drive
Fort Myers 
Phone: 239-343-5437