Know Your Care Options
When you need care in a hurry, an Emergency Room (ER) may not be the best choice.
When you or a covered dependent has an illness or injury that is not life threatening, getting care at the ER can be time consuming, and the out-of-pocket cost can be significant. You have other options, such as in-network urgent care and retail health centers.
| Type of Situation | Examples | Where to Get Appropriate Care |
| EMERGENCY A medical condition that is so severe, it poses a risk to a person’s life or long-term health. |
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Dial 911 (or your local emergency services number) or proceed to the nearest ER. A referral is not required for the Emergency Room. |
| URGENT An unexpected medical condition that is not life threatening but requires medical attention within 24 hours. |
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Visit a participating urgent care center or retail health center. A referral is not required for urgent care or retail health centers. Call your doctor to see if an appointment is necessary. |
| MINOR A medical condition that is not life threatening; may not need immediate medical attention; and/or may be treated with self-care. |
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Visit a participating urgent care center or retail health center. A referral is not required for urgent care or retail health centers. Call your doctor to see if an appointment is necessary. |
When you have a medical emergency, always go to the nearest ER.
See your doctor for routine care
Routine care, such as physicals and physical therapy, are not covered when you use urgent care or retail health centers. Immunizations may be available at in-network retail health centers under certain plans. Check your benefit information.
