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Find A Doctor Or Hospital In Your Network.
Sometimes the choice is clear. If you’re having signs of a heart attack or stroke, it’s best to go to an emergency room (ER). But what if you have a sore throat? Or an upset stomach after eating sushi? The choice may not be so clear.
Knowing where to go for medical care may save you money and time.
Keep these options for care in mind. And always check to make sure all of the providers and facilities you use are in your health plan’s network.
If your health plan offers access to the 24/7 Nurseline1, English- and Spanish-speaking registered nurses are on call to answer your questions.
You may be able to visit with a doctor by phone, online video chat or via mobile app for non-emergency medical and behavioral health concerns.2
Talk to the doctor who knows you and your medical history best. Your doctor can help with preventive care and common health issues like fevers, colds, the flu, sore throats and stomachache.
Many grocery stores, pharmacies and “big box” chains have a medical care clinic located inside. These “retail” clinics3:
Your neighborhood urgent care is a good option when a health issue needs immediate attention but isn’t an emergency. An urgent care center:
The closest urgent care center may not be in your health plan’s network. That’s why it’s good to think about where you would go now, before you need care. Use our Provider Finder® tool to find your closest in-network urgent care center.
Be careful to choose an urgent care center and not a standalone ER. If the building has “Emergency” listed on its exterior, it is an ER. If it is not attached to a hospital, it is a standalone ER. That means it may not be covered by your health plan and can cost you a lot more money.
Go to a hospital ER if you have life-threatening symptoms. Any time you have chest pains or heart problems, trouble breathing, heavy bleeding, broken bones, or sudden or severe pain, seek help right away.
Use our Provider Finder® tool to find a doctor's office, retail health clinic, urgent care center or hospital ER in your plan's provider network.
Remember, when you visit in-network providers, you may pay less for care. That’s why it’s good to learn about your choices now. It will help you be prepared the next time you need care.
Originally published 4/22/2015; Revised 2019, 2022, 2023