Rocky Mountain Health Plans newsletter Winter 2010 - When you need medical care right away, should you go to an emergency room or an urgent care or after-hours facility? If you’re not sure about the seriousness of your medical situation, don’t panic. Call first.

Call your doctor’s office. Leave a message if needed, and someone will return your call. Your doctor’s office staff will assist you in getting the right care in the right place, including their office after hours or the next day. If you believe you have a life- or limbthreatening emergency call 911 or go directly to an emergency room.

Receiving care in the emergency room is more expensive and can take longer than an urgent care or after-hours facility.
The emergency room is for treating chest pain, life- and limb-threatening conditions, and loss of consciousness, major burns, poisonings, severe bleeding, head or spine injuries, stroke symptoms, or severe abdominal pain. Call us for fevers, colds, cuts, diarrhea, earache, eye infections, rashes, flu symptoms, sprains, upset stomachs, or urinary infections.

If appropriate, we can suggest an urgent care facility.

If you need any kind of medical care this is not an emergency, or if you’re not sure, call first.