How do you define "Medical Emergency"?

A medical emergency refers to: A serious medical condition derived from an illness or injury, such that a person with common knowledge of health and medicine could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention will result in severe threat to the health or vital bodily functions of the individual, or in the case of a pregnant woman, the health of the woman and/ or her unborn child.

What is an Urgent Care Center?

An urgent care center is used for episodic care for patients with sudden medical conditions that require treatment usually within 24 hours. Patients can be treated on a walk-in basis, without an appointment. The urgent care centers have extended hours and some locations may open 24 hours a day. Patients calling an HMO after-hours with urgent, but not emergency problems are often referred to these urgent care centers. When experiencing a non-life threatening situation (but could lead to potentially harmful outcome if not treated when immediate attention is required), a member can receive treatment at an urgent care center rather then being admitted to an emergency room. Patient needs to inform his/her Primary Care Physician of such visit and for follow up care. Please refer to the following Physicians' Healthways contracted urgent care locations for reference.

If the member is in a life-threatening situation, please call 911 right away for care.