Know Before You Go—Options for Care

Establishing a relationship with a primary care provider (PCP) is the best way to receive consistent, quality care. Except for emergencies, your PCP should be your first call when you require medical attention.

  • If you have a life-threatening injury, illness or emergency, call 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency room.

Below is a chart with other choices for care, including some options that are available anytime, day or night.

Sample health plan

Your Care Options

Cost

Needs or Symptoms Such As

24/7

Rx

Virtual Care

In-Person Care

CloseKnit Virtual Care
24/7/365 virtual-first primary care, urgent care, mental health and other speciality services.

* In-person care available when applicable.
$
  • Preventive visits (ages 18+)
  • Urgent care (ages 2+)
  • Mental health therapy (ages 2+)
  • Psychiatry (ages 2+)
  • Lactation consultation
  • Nutrition and diet support (ages 5+)
  • Billing and benefits support
24-Hour Nurse Advice Line
Call 800-535-9700 for general questions about health issues or where to go for care
$0
  • Cough, cold and flu
  • Rashes
  • Medication questions
PCP Visit
Discuss diagnosis, treatment of illness, chronic conditions, routine check-ups
$
  • Routine physical
  • Diabetic care
  • Cough, cold, flu, allergies
  • Bronchitis
Verify availability with your provider
Convenience Care
(e.g., retail clinics such as CVS MinuteClinic)
Health screenings, vaccinations, minor illness or injury
$$
  • Cough and cold
  • Pink eye
  • Ear pain
  • Flu Shot
Urgent Care
(e.g., ExpressCare or Patient First)
Non-life-threatening illness or injury requiring immediate care
$$$
  • Sprains
  • Cut requiring stitches
  • Minor burns
  • Sore throat
Emergency Room
Life-threatening illness or injury
$$$$
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Uncontrolled bleeding
  • Major burns

To find participating providers in your plan, use our Find a Doctor tool.

The information provided in this chart regarding various care options is meant to be helpful when seeking care and is not intended as medical advice. Only a medical provider can offer medical advice. The choice of provider or place to seek medical treatment belongs entirely to you.

Primary care providers (PCP) $ — The best place to get consistent, quality healthcare is your PCP. If you have a medical issue, having a doctor who knows your health history often makes it easier to get the care you need.1

Free 24-Hour Nurse Advice Line $0 — When you are unable to reach your PCP, registered nurses are available anytime, day or night, to help guide you to the most appropriate care. To speak with a nurse, call 800-535-9700.

Convenience care centers $$ — Convenience care centers (retail health clinics such as CVS MinuteClinic® 2) offer care for non-emergency situations like colds, pink eye, strep tests and vaccinations.

Urgent care centers $$$ — Urgent care centers (such as Patient First and ExpressCare2) provide treatment for injuries and illnesses that require prompt medical attention but are not life-threatening (examples: sprains, minor cuts, sore throats, flu, rashes, minor burns). These centers have doctors on staff and offer weekend/after-hours care.

Emergency rooms $$$$ — Emergency rooms treat acute illnesses and trauma. Go to the ER right away if you or a family member have sudden symptoms that need emergency care, including (but not limited to): chest pain, trouble breathing or head trauma. Prior authorization is not needed for emergency room services.

1 Facility charge: If a service is rendered on a hospital campus, you may receive two bills, one from the physician and one from the facility. It is the member’s responsibility to determine if they will be billed separately.

2 Subject to change. Use our Find a Doctor tool for the most up-to-date list of available facilities.