Know Where To Go For Unexpected Medical Care

Making sure you choose the best medical setting for your unexpected medical needs can save you money.

When you are suddenly sick or injured, you immediately think about going to the local emergency room for care.  For life-threatening conditions, the emergency room is the right place to go to for treatment.  However, if you have a non-life-threatening injury or illness, you may find more affordable and convenient care at your local urgent care center.  Like hospital emergency rooms, urgent care centers are usually open seven days a week and have extended hours that may include nights and holidays.

Save Money
Under Standard Option, you pay nothing for the treatment of an accidental injury within 72 hours of the injury at any Preferred hospital emergency room, urgent care center, physician or other health care professional.

A trip to the local Preferred hospital emergency room for the treatment of a medical emergency, such as a deep cut, will cost you 15 percent of the Plan allowance under Standard Option after you meet your calendar year deductible.  Treatment at an urgent care center for the same condition will also cost you 15 percent of the Plan allowance after you meet your calendar year deductible.  However, the cost for treatment at the urgent care center is usually less than the cost for getting care in an emergency room.  This means that if you receive care at an urgent care center, you pay 15 percent of a lower amount.

Under Basic Option, an emergency room visit to a Preferred hospital will cost you $125 for the treatment of an accidental injury or medical emergency.  Using an urgent care center will cost you $50.  That’s a savings of $75.

*average cost for emergency room care may include more extensive procedures due to the severity of conditions treated in an emergency room.
**subject to the calendar year deductible.

Finding An Urgent Care Center Is Easy
Need help finding a local urgent care center?  No problem.  You can go to our Provider Directory on our web site. 

1. Select Standard Option or Basic Option Provider Directory.
2. Search the directory by zip code and by provider Type.  Select Urgent Care as the provider type.
3. Click Continue to Search Results for a list of urgent care providers in your area.  

             

We also make finding an urgent care provider easy if you have an iPhone or Android phone.  We now have an app for the Service Benefit Plan provider directory in both the Apple and Android stores.  The Blue National Doctor & Hospital Finder℠ or “Blue Finder” app gives you direct access to our provider network by location.  You can even get a map and driving instructions for each provider.

It is important that you receive the right care at the right place to meet all your medical needs.  With the Service Benefit Plan, you have a choice of settings.  Not sure what setting is right for your condition?  Call Blue Health Connection at the number on the back of your ID card anytime and talk to a nurse who can help you make that decision.

For life-threatening situations, such as chest pain, suspected stroke or traumatic injury, when every second matters, calling 911 and going to the emergency room is the right choice.

June 2012.  Paula Spurway, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.  Resources: www.fepblue.org, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan actuarial data; and the 2012 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan brochure.

Page last updated: June 25, 2012