Where Should You Go For Care?
Doctor's Office, Urgent Care Clinic, or the Emergency Room?
Where you go for your care matters.
When illness, accidents, and injuries happen, where should you go for care?
You get the best care when you see your regular health care provider. They know you and your medical history. For most medical problems, you should go to your regular health care provider first.
How about urgent care clinics and hospital emergency rooms? The answer depends on the seriousness and type of illness.
The Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA), and the Washington State Medical Association have developed a brochure that outlines where to go for health care. It describes the differences between the care offered at your doctor's office, urgent care clinics and hospital emergency rooms—and when you should consider visiting each.
How to order the brochure.
Help Line
If you're unsure where to go for help, call a health help line.
Many insurance companies and hospitals have a 24/7 nurse help line to help you decide the where to go for care.
Help Line Numbers
For those with insurance from one of the following:
Group Health Cooperative
(800) 297-6877
Molina (Basic Health, Healthy Options, Medicaid)
(888) 275-8750 (English)
(866) 648-3537 (Spanish)
Premera Blue Cross
(877) 728-9020
Those with other insurance carriers should check their insurance cards for information.
For more useful health and wellness information follow WSMA Doc Talk via Facebook, Twitter and its blog:
  
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