You should only use the Emergency Room (ER) when there is an emergency. An emergency is a health problem that puts you in danger of death or severe harm.
How do you know when to go to the ER and when to go to your primary care provider (PCP) at your medical home? It is important to give this some thought. That way you are ready when an emergency occurs.
The first step is to make sure you know who your PCP is at your medical home. Your medical home is the place you go to see your PCP for most of your healthcare. If you don’t know who your PCP is for your medical home, call Illinois Health Connect at 1-877-912-1999 (TTY 1-866-565-8577). The call is free! Illinois Health Connect will give you information about your PCP or help you pick a different doctor for your PCP.
When selecting a PCP for your medical home, make sure you are comfortable with the doctor. You will also want to make sure that you are able to make appointments with your PCP at times that work for you.
The next step is to know what a medical emergency is. An emergency is a health problem that is life threatening or one that will seriously affect your health if not treated right away. Examples are chest pains, poisoning, or seizures. An emergency can be from an accident or sudden illness. If you are not sure you have an emergency, you should call your PCP first. If the problem is not serious, make an appointment to see your PCP. Only go to the Emergency Room if the problem is serious.
If you are unable to reach your PCP after hours or on 24 hours on weekends, you can call the Illinois Nurse Helpline at 1-877-912-1999 (TTY 1-866-565-8577). During the week, the Illinois Nurse Helpline is open from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. The call is free. The nurse will answer your medical questions and give you information to help you decide if you need to go to the Emergency Room or call 9-1-1 (if available in your area).
In an emergency, you can use any hospital or other emergency provider. If you need a list of emergency providers in your area, call Illinois Health Connect at 1-877-912-1999 (TTY: 1-866-565-8577). This call is free.
