As fall rolls in, so does the cold and flu season. Fall sports start back up, too, bringing with them the risk of injury, as does winter’s icy patches.

So how do you know whether to schedule an appointment with your regular physician or pediatrician, or pop into urgent care? When is the emergency room more appropriate?

According to Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, millions of Americans use emergency rooms for routine medical care, costing them 10 times more than...