Follow these steps when you need care:

First Choice:

• The best way to take care of yourself is to find a regular doctor you like. Click here for a list of our doctors, including our “gold star” doctors.
• Your own doctor knows you and your health issues, so they may know when you have a problem sooner than someone you usually don’t see.
• When you are sick, they will usually see you on short notice.

Next Choice: Go to an urgent care clinic if you cannot get in to see your doctor, and it is not a real emergency. Urgent care clinics:

• Will usually see you sooner than an emergency room.
• Can provide the care you need right now
• Can prescribe medicine you need
• Will refer you if you need more care
• Will cost you much less than an emergency room visit

Last Choice: Emergency rooms should only be used for emergencies!

• It may take a long time to get care if your condition is not as serious as other patients.
• Care will cost you much more money – especially if it is not really an emergency. The Fund will only pay up to $500 for your visit, and only after you pay $150 + 40% of the rest of the cost. Anything over the $500 will also be your cost.