Crisis lifelines and immediate help: In a life-threatening mental health or medical emergency call 911.
In emotional distress crisis: Call/text 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (24/7) or chat with a counselor at 988lifeline.org.
Emergency Behavioral Health Services provided by an emergency behavioral health services provider, with or without a pre-authorization, are always covered whether the provider is in your network or not. This includes treatment by Mobile Crisis Response providers.
Care Options
ER, urgent, or virtual care: When to go where
Premera Blue Cross health plan members have access to a variety of levels for care. To get the best care possible, and at the lowest cost to you, know which level to use and when to use them.
Where to go for care?
Doctor’s office, urgent care, virtual care, or emergency room? If you think you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
| Primary Care Office | Urgent Care Clinic | Virtual Care | Emergency Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| By appointment, hours vary | Daytime, evening and often weekend hours | 24/7 or by appointment | 24/7 |
Your primary care provider knows you best but may not be able to see you quickly. Primary care offices can usually treat the same health conditions as an urgent care clinic. Primary care providers (PCPs) can also help when you are concerned about your mental health. Not sure where to go? Contact your primary care office or call the free Premera 24-hour NurseLine (Phone number is on the back of your Premera member ID card). | Urgent care clinics provide same-day care when you can’t see your primary care provider. Urgent care clinics are for things like:
| Many primary care offices offer virtual care. You also have access to virtual care options through Premera. Virtual care is for things like:
| The emergency room is for life-threatening medical and mental health problems like:
|
Still unsure? Call 24-Hour NurseLine – call the number on the back of your card
If you don't believe you have a need for emergency care, you can think about what's most important to you on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes, convenience and speed might drive your decision. In other cases, the cost of care matters most. And in some cases, you may believe it's better to see a health professional who knows you and your history.
First stop for non-emergency care: Primary care
Your primary care provider has the advantage of knowing your health and medicine history. Your doctor may know about your health habits, such as diet and exercise. Your doctor often knows your home, work, and family situation. But the office location or hours may not always work for you. And your doctor may not provide care for something urgent like broken bones or stitches.
To find an in-network PCP, use the Find Care search tool.
Kinwell primary care clinics in Washington state
Kinwell provides a whole-person approach to healthcare, integrating advanced primary care with behavioral health. Premera members have exclusive access to convenient, in-person, and virtual care throughout Washington state.
Next option: Can’t get a primary care appointment? You have more care options
Virtual care 24/7
Medical care from board-certified providers from Transcarent. Think of virtual care as a convenient way to get care without leaving your home when you can’t get in to seeyour PCP.
Urgent care: clinics or in-home care
Urgent care centers offer same-day care when your primary care provider (PCP) is unavailable. They typically offer walk-in visits or may accept appointments.
Search for urgent care centers near you by entering your ZIP code in the Find a Doctor tool.
When to go to emergency room (ER)
When you have a serious problem that needs care right away, an emergency room (ER) is the best place to go. ERs are set up to handle problems that may be life-threatening. And ER staff are skilled at giving care that can save lives. Emergencies include problems such as:
- Heart attack or stroke symptoms
- Severe bleeding
- Severe trouble breathing
- Severe pain
Keep in mind that emergency rooms prioritize treating the sickest patients. If you don’t have a true emergency, you may have to wait longer compared to other provider options (and pay more).
Note: Transcarent is an independent company that provides virtual care services on behalf of Premera Blue Cross.