Need fast medical care? Know your options.
When you need medical care quickly, it's good to know you have a wide range of quality options to choose from, depending on how severe your condition or injury may be.
If you feel your condition is life-or-limb threatening, the emergency room is always the right choice.
If not, we recommend your PCP or an urgent-care clinic—you could save time and money, while receiving excellent care from highly-trained medical professionals. The 24-Hour Nurse Line is also available to you at all times at 1-800-530-1021
During Regular Business Hours: Your Primary Care Provider (PCP)
COST: $0/$5/$10 copay (varies by plan and county)
PCPs offer acute-care appointments during regular business hours. For non-life-threatening issues, a quick call to your PCP may be your best first option to get care from someone who knows your medical history and unique health needs.
After Hours:
URGENT CARE CLINICS
COST: $0/$50/$55 copay in country; $100/$120 copay out of country (varies by plan)
Urgent care providers can respond quickly to a variety of non-life- or limb-threatening illnesses and injuries if your PCP’s office is closed.
Most urgent-care clinics offer extended hours and are open seven days a week. Go to a local urgent-care clinic instead of an emergency room if you have:
- Sprains, muscle strains
- Cough, sore throat, sinus pain, and/or congestion
- Fever, minor infections
- Rash, minor burns or cuts
- Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
Your plan covers urgent care services worldwide and you are not required to use an in-network facility.
24-HOUR NURSE LINE
COST: No charge for Generations Advantage members.
The Generations Advantage 24-Hour Nurse Line is a great resource for after-hours questions about non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses.
Call 1-800-530-1021 to speak with a registered nurse.
When to Go to the Emergency Room (ER)
COST: $100/$120 copay (varies by plan)
ERs are the best choice when conditions are life-or-limb-threatening and may require advanced treatment.
Hospital ERs are open 24 hours every day and offer access to specialists. The average ER wait time for non-emergencies is 90–120 minutes.
Go to your nearest ER if you have:
- Chest pain
- Unusual shortness of breath
- Severe abdominal pain
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Signs of stroke like sudden weakness, difficulty speaking, or severe headache
After an ER visit, prompt follow-up care by your PCP can be an important part of getting better. If your condition does not improve or gets worse, please call your PCP.
Ambulance Transportation
COST: $325 copay (in and out of country) for each Medicare-covered ambulance service (one way) for all plans.
You may get covered emergency medical care whenever you need it, anywhere in the world. Our plans cover ambulance transportation in situations where getting to the emergency room in any other way could endanger your health.