Where to get Care

We want to make sure you get the right care when you need it. The following will help you decide where to go.

Primary care

You should see your Primary Care Provider (PCP) for all routine visits. Some examples are:

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  • Routine checkups and tests
  • Colds/flu
  • Earache
  • Rash
  • Sore throat
  • Removal of stitches
  • Pain management

Urgent care

You can visit an urgent care center to keep an injury or illness from getting worse. You can go when your PCP's office is closed.

If you aren't sure, you can:

  • Call your PCP and ask. You can call your PCP, or a back-up doctor, at any time.
  • Call CareSource 24, our free 24-hour nurse advice line at 1-866-206-0488 (TTY for the hearing impaired:  1-800-649-3777 or 711) to speak to a registered nurse. 

Go to an urgent care center listed in your Provider Directory.

If you go to an urgent care center, call your PCP as soon as you can. Let him or her know of your visit. Your PCP may want to see you for follow-up care.

Emergency care

An emergency is something you think is so serious that it must be treated right away by a doctor. Emergencies are sudden. They have very serious symptoms. Examples are:

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  • Severe chest pain
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Uncontrolled bleeding
  • Rape
  • Major burns

If you have an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room (ER). You can go to any ER. You do not need an okay from your PCP first. If you don't know what to do, call your PCP or our 24-hour nurse advice line for help.

If you go to the ER, call your PCP as soon as you can. Let him or her know what happened. Or have someone call for you. Your PCP will schedule follow-up care.