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Primary Care

If you have an HMO or POS plan, visiting your primary care provider (PCP) is often your lowest-cost option for general or preventive healthcare.

When to make a PCP appointment:

• For annual check-ups, physicals, vaccines and flu and COVID-19 shots 
• When you have a minor illness or injury
• To get help with persisting or chronic illnesses

What your PCP can help with:

• Preventive services and screenings
• Sore throat, cough or respiratory infections
• Minor fevers
• Rashes, bumps or scratches

What to expect with your visit:

• Care for moderate concerns
• Moderate wait times
• Low costs for care

Log in to your member account to search covered PCPs.

Virtual Care

Depending on your plan, you may have virtual care as a benefit. For example, some individual and family or group members can access Virtual Visits, hosted by MDLIVE. With Virtual Visits, you can rely on virtual care 24/7 from your phone or computer.^{1, 2}

When to plan a virtual care appointment:

• For minor health injuries or illnesses that happen after hours
• For help with minor care, behavioral health and dermatology
• To get help when you're away from home

What virtual care can help with:

• Sore throat, cough or respiratory infection
• Back or muscle pain
• Minor fevers or allergic reactions
• Rashes, bumps or scratches

What to expect with your visit:

• Care for minor concerns
• Moderate wait times
• Moderate costs for care

Urgent Care

Urgent care, sometimes called prompt care, can help with non-emergency care when you can't make it to your PCP. You may have to pay more, but they're often open longer hours and accept walk-in patients.

When to visit urgent care:

• For weekend or after-hours help, or help when your doctor's office isn't open
• When you need a walk-in appointment for a sudden medical concern
  
• When you think you may need an x-ray or stitches

What urgent care can help with:

• Sprains, strains and minor injuries
• Cold or flu symptoms
• Allergic reactions
• Minor burns

What to expect with your visit:

• Care for moderate concerns
• Moderate wait times
• Moderate costs for care

Not sure where your closest urgent care clinic is? Log in to your member account and search "Urgent Care Center" for results specific to your plan.

Emergency Room (ER)

Emergency rooms are typically the most expensive way to get care when you need help. You should only visit the emergency when you have a severe or life-threatening medical emergency.

When to visit the ER:

• When you have signs of a heart attack, like chest pain or shortness of breath
• When you have signs of a stroke, like confusion, stumbling or facial droop
• To get x-rays, casts, stitches or wound dressings for severe injuries

What the ER can help with:

• Stroke-like symptoms
• Severe bleeding or injury
• Chest pain or trouble breathing
• Severe stomach pain

What to do in an emergency:

If you have chest pains, trouble breathing, heavy bleeding or severe pain you should call 911 or go to an emergency room right away.

Your Road to the Right Care

By now, you may know how to weigh your care options when you need help. Want a short recap? Watch this video and download a helpful PDF to review your care options.

¹ Internet/Wi-Fi connection is needed for computer access. Data charges may apply. Check your cellular data or internet service provider’s plan for details. Non-emergency medical service in Idaho, Montana and New Mexico is limited to interactive audio/video (video only), along with the ability to prescribe. Non-emergency medical service in Arkansas is limited to interactive audio/video (video only) for initial consultation, along with the ability to prescribe. Behavioral Health service is limited to interactive audio/video (video only), along with the ability to prescribe in all states. Service availability depends on location at the time of consultation.

² Virtual Visits, Powered by MDLIVE may not be available on all plans. Virtual Visits are subject to the terms and conditions of your benefit plan, including benefits, limitations, and exclusions. MDLIVE operates subject to state regulations and may not be available in certain states. MDLIVE is not an insurance product nor a prescription fulfillment warehouse. MDLIVE does not guarantee that a prescription will be written. MDLIVE does not prescribe DEA-controlled substances, non-therapeutic drugs and certain other drugs that may be harmful because of their potential for abuse. MDLIVE physicians reserve the right to deny care for potential misuse of services.

MDLIVE operates and administers the virtual visit program and is solely responsible for its operations and that of its contracted providers. MDLIVE and the MDLIVE logo are registered trademarks of MDLIVE, Inc. and may not be used without written permission.

Blue Cross®, Blue Shield® and the Cross and Shield symbols are registered service marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.