Know Before You Go – Brush Up on Care Options Before You Need Them

Getting the right care at the right place and the right time is good for your health; and it can save you time and money.  Know where to go for care – and what is near your home, office, and school –  before you need it. Where you go depends on the nature and severity of your condition. 

• Primary Care is the best option for annual preventive care visits, diagnostics, management of chronic conditions, and sick care needs. As a Blue KC member, your primary care options could include a doctor in your network or a doctor at a Spira Care Center. 
  
  Spira Care Centers provide no-additional-cost primary care for Blue KC members enrolled in an Individual and Family Plan with exclusive access to Spira Care. You can see a member of a Spira Care Team (including doctors, physicians assistants and behavioral health consultants) in person, by phone, or a video visit. Call 913-29-SPIRA (77472) to talk about the type of appointment that works best for you – including same- and next-day appointments for sick care needs and injuries. 
• Virtual Care is a good option for minor issues like a cold, flu, or pink eye, or if you need care at night, on the weekend, or when your doctor is not available. Members can visit with a virtual care doctor through the MyBlueKC mobile app or at BlueKCVirtualCare.com.
• Retail Health Clinics can be used to treat minor, uncomplicated illness or injury, when you cannot wait for an appointment with your primary care doctor. 
• Urgent Care can be used for non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses that require immediate care, such as ear pain, persistent diarrhea, sprain, or a shallow cut. 
• Emergency Rooms or Community Hospitals should be used when you have an immediate care need for a severe and life-threatening emergency. It is important to know that for less severe injuries or illnesses, the ER can be expensive and wait times can be long. The ER should be used for true emergencies – not for treating conditions like upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, headaches, back pain, toothaches, and sinus infections. 

Knowing where to go for care and what’s available in your neighborhood helps you get the care you need and save money. Visit Know Where To Go to learn more.