Where to go for care
Understanding your options
When you or a loved one needs medical care, it can be confusing to know where to go to get the right treatment.
Not every medical issue requires a trip to the emergency room, but some situations do need more immediate care than others. Knowing the right place to go can save you time, money, and provide much-needed peace of mind.
Telehealth, the emergency room, urgent care, and your doctor's office all serve different purposes. Because each facility provides different kinds of care based on severity of symptoms, the cost and visit time differ.
Making an informed decision
An emergency is life-threatening. Uncontrollable bleeding, difficulty breathing, chest pains, seizures, or severe pain are emergencies that should be addressed right away.
While a sprained ankle or a bad ear infection aren't life-threatening, you may still need to get it treated quickly. There are other high-quality care options to meet those needs.
Quickly find non-emergency care
Need care fast, but don't need the ER? We have you covered.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) members can use our doctor search to find trusted, in-network urgent care centers and primary care providers who can address your health issues.
It's the easiest way to get the right care without the hassle.
