Emergencies and Urgent Care
If you believe you have an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
- You do not need approval from your plan or your PCP before getting emergency care, and you are not required to use our hospitals or providers.
- If you're not sure, call your PCP at any time, day or night. Tell the person you speak with what is happening. Your PCP's team will:
- Tell you what to do at home
- Tell you to come to the PCP's office
- Tell you to go to the nearest urgent care or emergency department
- If you are out of the area when you have an emergency:
- Go to the nearest emergency department.
Remember: Use the emergency department only if you have an emergency. If you have questions, call your PCP or AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina Member Services at 1-855-375-8811 (TTY 1-866-209-6421).
Urgent care
You may have an injury or an illness that is not an emergency but still needs prompt care and attention. This could be:
- A child with an earache who wakes up in the middle of the night and won't stop crying
- The flu
- A cut that needs stitches
- A sprained ankle
- A bad splinter you cannot remove
You can walk into an urgent care clinic to get care the same day or make an appointment for the next day. Whether you are at home or away, call your primary care provider (PCP) any time, day or night. If you cannot reach your PCP, call the 24/7 Nurse Line at 1-888-674-8710. Tell the person who answers what is happening. They will help you find care.
Tell the person who answers what is happening. They will tell you what to do.
Whether you are at home or away, you can walk into an urgent care clinic to get care the same day or make an appointment for the next day. If you would like assistance making an appointment:
- Call your PCP any time day or night.
If you are unable to reach your PCP, call Member Services at 1-855-375-8811 (TTY 1-866-209-6421).