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Emergency Room

When to Go 

Emergency rooms are open 24 hours a day. You need to go to the emergency room if you think your life is in danger. If you believe you need immediate medical care to prevent permanent injury, you need to get medical help quickly. Go to an emergency room or call 911 right away if you have any of these problems:

  • Bleeding that won’t stop
  • Chest pains
  • Seizures
  • Shock (you may sweat, feel thirsty or have pale skin)
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Suddenly not able to see, move or speak
  • Coughing blood
  • Broken bones
  • Trouble breathing
  • Choking

When Not to Go

Emergency rooms are good places to go only if your health problems are very serious.  You should not generally go to an emergency room if you have these problems, but feel OK otherwise:

  • A sprain or strain
  • Diarrhea
  • Throwing up
  • A cut or scrape
  • An earache
  • A sore throat
  • A cough or cold
  • Diaper rash
  • You need refills of your medicine
  • Mild headache
  • Lice, scabies or ringworm

Call Your Primary Care Provider (PCP)

Your PCP is a doctor you see on a regular basis to take care of your medical needs. You do not have to go to the emergency room for basic medical care. Call your PCP first when you need care or when you have a question about your healthcare or other services you may need. If your problem is not serious, you may wait a long time in an emergency room.

For a complete listing of urgent care and walk-in clinics in our network, use our Find a Provider Tool or call the Nurse Advice Line at 1-866-433-6041 (TTY: 711) and say “Nurse,” then press 9.

If your life is in danger, go to the emergency room right away or call 911. Call your PCP when you get to the emergency room and are able to do so.

Call the Nurse Advice Line

If you want to talk to someone about a health problem when you can’t reach your doctor, you can call the Nurse Advice Line. As an Absolute Total Care member, this service is available to you at no cost!

The Nurse Advice Line has registered nurses who are ready to answer your questions and to help you.  For example, if your child has a fever, cough, or cold symptoms, you can call the Nurse Advice Line for help!  Call 1-866-433-6041 (TTY:711) and say “Nurse,” then press 9.

Important phone numbers

Member Services: 
1-866-433-6041 (TTY: 711)

24/7 Nurse Advice Line:
1-866-433-6041 (TTY: 711)