How to get care quickly

What to do when you need care right away

The emergency room (ER) isn’t always the best place to go when you need care right away. If you’re sick or injured but know that it’s not life threatening, you have options:

• Your doctor: Contact your doctor right away. You might be able to make a same-day appointment in person or through telehealth (secure video chat or over the phone).
• Urgent care: Visit an in-network urgent care clinic. You can get care right away if you’re sick or injured and even get drugs sent to your pharmacy. Some urgent care clinics even offer telehealth visits.

When to go to the ER

Go to a hospital or ER for help in a life-threatening emergency, such as:

• Possible heart attack or stroke
• Poisoning
• Serious burns
• Difficulty breathing
• Broken bones
• Bleeding that cannot be stopped

Care you get at the ER during an emergency, or what you believe to be an emergency, will be covered by your plan. However, it’s best to know which hospitals are in network so you have a plan before there’s an emergency.

Find in-network care

Use the Blue Cross of Idaho member app or call the Blue Cross of Idaho Customer Service Department at the number on the back of your member ID card to make sure you know which nearby hospitals are in network.

Posted: June 28, 2021