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Emergency, Urgent, & Non-Urgent Care

Emergency Medical Needs

Emergencies are when you are physically in danger and need medical help right away.

Ambulance EMS on rural road with warning lights

Call 911 or go to an emergency room (ER) immediately if you:

  • Are having trouble breathing
  • Are bleeding severely
  • Are suffering from chest or abdominal pain
  • Think you may have a head injury
  • Have lost consciousness
  • Are afraid for your life for any reason
  • Are experiencing additional warning signs your provider told you to look out for.

 

If you have health insurance, it will cover the costs of an emergency room visit as long as it is for an emergency medical condition.

If you do not have health insurance and go to a non-Indian Health Service (IHS) or Tribal emergency room, you must report it to the IHS Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) within 72 hours or IHS will not cover the medical costs. If you are age 65 or older, or you are physically or mentally disabled, you have up to 30 days to notify IHS Purchased/Referred Care.

Urgent Medical Needs

If you are sick or injured but not afraid for your life and cannot get into your regular healthcare provider within the next day or two, you can go to an Urgent Care clinic. Some commercial pharmacies also offer a walk-in clinic for minor illnesses and injuries. 

If you have health insurance, call the clinic before you go to make sure that they will accept your health insurance. You may have to wait anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to be seen, depending on how many patients are waiting.

If you do not have health insurance, you must report your Urgent Care visit to the IHS PRC department within 72 hours or IHS will not cover the costs of your care. If you are age 65 or older, or you are physically or mentally disabled, you have up to 30 days to notify IHS Purchased/Referred Care.

Non-Urgent Medical Needs

See your regular healthcare provider when you notice a major change to your body or if you feel bad for more than a few days. Call the provider’s office and ask to be seen. If your Community Health Representatives (CHRs) visit, you can ask for their advice. Some examples of when to be seen are: lumps or changes to your skin, experiencing pain, or feeling tired. 

Remember to always get a yearly check-up with a primary care provider who cares for most common medical conditions, and who can refer you for other care if needed. Your primary care provider might recommend that you get more frequent check-ups or come in for regular appointments to monitor a condition. Go to all of these appointments and don’t cancel or reschedule them without talking to your healthcare provider.

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