Know Your Options
When you need care fast, it’s important to know where to turn. Some cases are emergencies. If you have an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you aren’t having an emergency, going to the ER can mean a long wait. Plus, you could be making it harder for the staff there to help the people who really need them. So what do you do when you have a sudden sickness or injury?
As a Health Partners member, you have options. Your primary care provider (PCP) should be your first choice, for many problems. However, there are also urgent care centers and walk-in clinics. Health Partners members can also talk to a doctor by phone or video chat with JeffConnect or Teladoc. Read below to learn more about each option and see a chart showing common conditions and where to go for help.
Primary Care Provider
Your PCP is your medical home. He or she coordinates your care. See your PCP if you can. Many offices offer extended hours. You can also leave a message for the doctor after hours. Most offices have an on-call physician who will call you back.
Walk-in Clinics and Urgent Care Centers
Walk-in clinics and urgent care centers offer evening and weekend hours. They will see you without an appointment. The average wait time is 45 minutes. It’s important to remember that they do different things. Urgent care centers are “one-stop shopping.” They can do most lab work, take X-rays, place IVs and apply stitches. Walk-in clinics offer convenience, but offer fewer services. They are usually found in drug stores and supermarkets.
Telehealth
As a Health Partners member, you can see a provider without leaving your home or experiencing long wait times with JeffConnect. You have 24/7 access to Jefferson providers by using your smartphone, tablet or computer with a webcam.
You can also use Teladoc, offered at no cost to Healh Parners members. Call 1-800-TELADOC (835-2362), visit www.teladoc.com or download the app to register.
Common Conditions and Where to Go
|
Condition |
PCP |
Urgent Care |
Walk-in Clinic |
Telehealth |
E.R. |
|
Aches, pains and sprains |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Bleeding (uncontrollable) |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Breathing difficulty |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Broken bones |
No |
Yes (minor) |
Yes |
No |
Yes (serious) |
|
Diarrhea or nausea |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Fever, flu, or cold symptoms |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
High fever* |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Head injury (conscious) |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Heart attack** |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Infections (yeast, urinary, etc.) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Lab tests |
Call |
Yes |
Call |
No |
No |
|
Poisoning or overdose |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Pregnancy problems |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Seizure, convulsions, passing out |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Skin - Rashes, or insect bites |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Splinter |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
Stiches (removal) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
Stitches (needed) |
Call |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Stroke*** |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Suicidal or homicidal |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Vaccines |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
Vomiting (1–2 days) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Wound care (minor) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Advice |
No |
*99°F or more for newborns; 104°F or more for children; 103°F or more for adults.
**Heart attack symptoms include chest pain, nausea, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, fainting, dizziness.
***Stroke symptoms include loss of vision, sudden numbness, weakness, slurred speech, or confusion.
This information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of a doctor or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In the event of a medical emergency, call 911.