Urgent Care or Emergency?
Urgent Care
An urgent care center is used for something that is not a threat to your life, but needs to be looked at right away. Anytime you think your situation needs urgent care, you should always call your PCP first. Your PCP can see if he or she can work you into their schedule. If you are not sure if your situation needs urgent care, your PCP can help you decide what to do.
If you would like to see a list of the urgent care centers signed up with Passport Health Plan, see the “Urgent Care Centers” sheet in the back of the Handbook.
Emergency Care
The emergency room is used when you think a medical situation is a threat to your life or can seriously harm your health if you do not get care right away. The emergency room staff will decide how soon you will be seen. It will be based on your medical needs.
Examples of some emergencies::
- Bad cuts or burns
- Miscarriage (losing a baby) or pregnancy with vaginal bleeding
- Head or eye injuries
- Danger of loss of life or limb (such as an arm or a leg)
- Blackouts
- A motor vehicle accident with an injury
- Chest pain
- High fever
- Choking
- A physical attack or rape
- Difficulty breathing
- Heavy bleeding
- Loss of speech
- Taking too much medicine or drugs (overdose)
- Paralysis (unable to move)
- Poisoning
- Possible broken bones
- Convulsions (seizures)
*If 911 service is not available in the area, call the local operator.
There are times when it is hard to know if your situation is an emergency. If you are unsure, here are some ways to help you decide if a situation is an emergency:
Call your primary care provider (PCP).
Call your primary care provider (PCP). You can call your PCP 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He or she can help you decide if emergency care is needed. Be ready to tell your PCP as much as you know about the medical problem. Be sure to tell him or her:
- What the problem is.
- How long you or another family member has had the problem.
- What has been done for the problem so far.
Your PCP may ask other questions. He or she can help you decide:
- If you need an appointment.
- If you should go to the urgent care center.
- If you should go the emergency room.
Write down the names of all your family’s PCPs and their telephone numbers. Keep it in a handy place in case you need it.
Call Passport Health Plan’s 24-hour Nurse Advice Line.
If you cannot reach your PCP, you may call our Nurse Advice Line to speak with a registered nurse. A nurse is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Be ready to tell the nurse as much as you know about the medical problem. He or she may ask other questions. The nurse will then help you decide what to do.
Nurse Advice Line
24-hours/7 days a week
1-800-606-9880
If you are hearing impaired, TTY users may call the Kentucky Relay Service at 1-800-648-6056.
If you go to the emergency room, call your PCP for follow-up care. Do NOT go to the emergency room for follow-up care.
