Emergency and urgent care 

When you get sick or injured, you may not know where to go for help first. Learn when to go to the emergency room and when to go to urgent care. It can save you time and money.

Is it an emergency?

Is it an emergency?

An emergency is life-threatening. Is your life or someone else’s life in danger? Call 911 right away or go to the closest ER. You don't need approval from your plan to go.

Here are some examples to help you decide:

Flu
Cold
Sore throat
Earache
Prescription refill or request
Back strain

Poisoning or overdose
Severe chest pain or heart attack
No movement in your arms or legs
Bleeding that you can’t stop
Loss of consciousness
Deep cuts or serious burns
Pregnancy with severe bleeding or pain
Broken bones
Bad burns
Car accidents

Go to the ER for emergencies, not time savings

If you go to the ER because you think they’ll see you more quickly, you’ll most likely have to wait. In the ER, anything except a real emergency has to wait, even if you were there first.

Is it urgent? 

You may have an urgent medical problem that’s not an emergency. Urgent health needs may be things like:

Flu
Bad sore throats
Earaches
Back pain
Migraine headaches
Sprains

Here are some places you can find care at all times of day or night:

Health care clinics
Community health centers
Urgent care facilities

Not sure where to go? Find a provider. Under “Specialty” search for “urgent care.”

Urgent care at home

You can get care in the comfort of your home. We have providers who can bring you urgent care at home in a few hours. Then, you can stay home and focus on feeling better.

Fever or flu
Migraines
Urinary tract infections
Asthma
Seasonal allergies
Upper respiratory tract infections
Eye infections or irritation (including pink eye)
Skin infections or rash
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Constipation

Just call one of these providers to start:

Dispatch Health: Call 480-295-4490 or visit Dispatch Health.
Scottsdale Physicians Group (SPG): Call 480-268-2670 anytime. The answering service responds to calls between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. They’ll contact the provider on call for you.
Spectrum Healthcare: Call 928-634-2236.
DMG Children's Rehabilitative Services: Call 602-914-4KID (4543).

Still not sure what to do?

Call your primary care physician (PCP)

Not sure what to do? Call your PCP, even if the office isn’t open. They have an answering service, so your doctor will get the message. Someone will call you back and tell you what to do. Make sure your phone can receive calls or you may miss them.

If you get sick or have an accident, call your doctor first. Can’t get an appointment that day? You may still get care at a clinic or urgent care.

Call the Nurse Line

You can also call the Nurse Line at ${MS_phone_1} or ${MS_phone_2} (TTY 711).

We’re here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
After hours, choose “More options” and then “Speak to a nurse.”  
The nurse can answer your questions and help you make health decisions.  
It doesn’t take the place of your primary care provider (PCP), so be sure to follow up later.

Crisis services 

Are you or a loved one in a behavioral health crisis? This is when you think you might hurt yourself or someone else. Or you’re feeling overwhelmed and find it hard to cope with stress. You can call the Arizona behavioral health crisis line at 1-844-534-HOPE (1-844-534-4673). You can also text HOPE to 4HOPE (44673). Or visit our crisis services page to learn more.

Questions?

Call Member Services at ${MS_phone_1} or ${MS_phone_2} (TTY 711). We’re here for you ${member_services_hours}.