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Urgent Care or Emergency Care

Urgent Care

An urgent situation needs immediate attention but is not life threatening. You should try to contact your PCP before you go to an urgent care center. If you’re not sure if your situation needs urgent care, your PCP can help you decide what to do. You should be given an appointment for
urgent treatment within 48 hours.

When should you go to the urgent care center?

If your PCP’s office is closed, you should go for:

  • Minor injuries
  • Fever
  • Earaches
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Flu

If you would like more information on using urgent care centers, see the “Urgent Care” sheet in the back pocket of this Handbook.

Emergency or notEmergency or Not

You should go to the emergency room for a medical emergency. This is when you believe a medical situation, if untreated, would be a threat to life or long-term health. The emergency room staff will decide how soon you will be seen.

Here are some examples of when you might go to the emergency room:

  • Severe cuts or burns
  • Miscarriage or pregnancy with vaginal bleeding
  • Head or eye injuries
  • Danger of loss of life or limb (such as an arm or a leg)
  • Loss of Consciousness – 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
  • Overdose of medicine or drugs
  • 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:

1. Call your primary care provider (PCP).

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 the following:

  • 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 additional 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 the names of all your family’s PCPs and their telephone numbers in the front of this Handbook. Keep it in a handy place in case you need it.

2. 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 additional questions. The nurse will then help you with your decision.

Nurse Advice Line
24-hours/7 days a week
1-800-606-9880
TDD/TTY 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.

 
 
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