Unexpected Injury or Illness? Urgent Care May Be Right for You.
Date: 04/05/23
If you have an injury or illness that is not life threatening but needs to be treated within 48 hours and you cannot wait for a visit to your doctor, you should consider going to an in-network urgent care clinic.
What is an urgent care clinic?
Urgent care clinics handle non-life-threatening situations. Most urgent care centers are staffed with doctors and nurses who have access to x-rays and labs onsite.
You may visit an urgent care clinic for:
- Flu, cold, sore throat, or earache
- A sprain or strain
- A cut or scrape not requiring stitches
- Throwing up, diarrhea and stomach pain
- Diaper rash
When you need urgent care, call your primary care provider (PCP). It’s important to always call your PCP before heading out. Their name and phone number are on your Louisiana Healthcare Connections Member ID card.
If you think your condition is urgent and need medical help within 24 hours, be sure to tell your PCP this. They may tell you to come into the office right away, go to an urgent care clinic, or go to the Emergency Room (ER). If you are told you need to see another provider or to go to the nearest ER, bring your Louisiana Healthcare Connections Member ID card.
Remember: Only go to the ER if your provider tells you to go or if you have a life-threatening emergency.
If it is after hours and you cannot reach your PCP, call our 24/7 nurse advice line at 1-866-595-8133 (TTY: 711). You will be connected to a nurse. Have your Louisiana Healthcare Connections Member ID card number handy. The nurse will help you find care over the phone.
Important: If you have an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
Need help finding an in-network urgent care? Call us at 1-866-595-8133 (TTY: 711).