|
When making decisions about the medical attention you need, use your best judgment and take advantage of available health and wellness resources.
Talk to Your Doctor
Calling your primary care physician to describe your symptoms
is always a good first step. Many doctors can rearrange
their schedules to squeeze patients in for needs which are not
emergencies, but need medical attention.
Research Your Symptoms
The Healthwise® Knowledgebase is a useful tool to help you make
decisions. This resource contains more than 3,200 topics
on health conditions, medical tests, procedures, medications, and
everyday health and wellness issues.
Urgent Care
Most health situations do not require emergency medical care. In
fact, you can save time and often save money by using one of the
many urgent care clinics available to you through your health plan.
Examples of conditions for which a visit to urgent care may be appropriate
include:
- Coughs and congestion
- Diarrhea
- Ear infections
- Insect bites
- Lacerations (deep cuts or wounds that may require stitches)
- Mild to moderate asthma attacks
- Rashes
- Sprains, strains, or deep bruises
- Sore throats
- Upper respiratory infections
- Urinary tract infections
Use the Find a Doctor
tool,
to locate an in-network urgent care facility near
you.
Emergency Room Care
If you have a true medical emergency, you should go to the nearest
hospital as fast as possible whether in or out of the service area.
It's important for you to know what kind of medical problems are
defined as emergencies and how to arrange for ambulance service,
if needed. Contact WPS within two business days after emergency
admission to a hospital.
Consult your benefit plan for answers to the following
questions:
- How does your plan define "emergency care?" What conditions
or injuries are considered emergencies?
- How does your plan handle "urgent care" after normal
business hours? Urgent care is for problems that are not true
emergencies, but still need quick medical attention. Check with
your plan to find out what it considers to be urgent care. Examples
may include sore throats with fever, ear infections, and serious
sprains. Call your primary care doctor or your plan's hotline for
advice about what to do. The plan may also have urgent care centers
for members.
- How do I obtain urgent care or emergency care if I am out of my network coverage area?
- How and when
should I inform my plan administrator after I receive care?
|
