Urgent vs. Non-Urgent: How to Reach Us the Right Way

At Arbor Internal Medicine, we’re all about giving you quick, clear access when you need it — and helping you avoid unnecessary delays when you don’t. Here’s a simple guide to help you know what’s urgent, what can wait, and how to reach us fast.

⏰ Office Hours:

Monday–Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
After Hours: Anytime outside these hours, weekends, and holidays

When to Mark It Urgent

If you’re having a medical issue that feels serious or can’t wait until the next business day — call us and select the URGENT option. This will send your message directly to the doctor for faster follow-up.

Urgent Examples:

  • Fever over 103°F not going down with Tylenol or Ibuprofen

  • Shortness of breath

  • UTI symptoms (burning, urgency, discomfort)

  • Allergic reaction or unexpected side effects from a new medication

  • Injury or illness where you’re unsure if you need urgent care or the ER

Not sure if it’s urgent? Ask yourself:
“Would I consider going to urgent care or the ER for this?”
If yes → Call us and mark it urgent
If no → It’s probably non-urgent

When It Can Wait: Non-Urgent

For issues that aren’t time-sensitive, please send a text or leave a voicemail. These will be addressed during normal business hours.

Non-Urgent Examples:

  • Prescription refill requests

  • Scheduling or appointment changes

  • Billing questions

  • Ongoing symptoms lasting more than 5–7 days

  • Medical questions or updates that can wait until the next day

Best Way to Reach Us

  • During Office Hours

    • Text us directly or call and leave a voicemail if needed. You’ll get a text back with helpful options. If needed, we’ll call you back before end of day.

  • After Hours

    • Call and select "Urgent" if it’s time-sensitive. For anything else, text or leave a voicemail — we’ll respond next business day.

Response Time

Urgent - Within 2–4 hours. If no response in that time, please call again.

Non-Urgent (Before 3 PM) - Same business day

Non-Urgent (After 3 PM) - Next business day

Quick Summary

  • If it feels urgent, call and select Urgent

  • If it can wait, text or leave a voicemail

  • For fastest response, text is usually best

  • You’re never bothering us — we’re just organizing so nothing falls through the cracks ❤️

Need a Printout?

📥 Download a PDF version here (Upload this PDF to your website and link here)

Still Unsure?

If you're not sure what to do, it’s okay — just reach out. We’d rather you ask than sit in silence. Our goal is always simple: make care feel human, fast, and easy.