Depending on the severity of a member’s medical concern, the emergency department might not be the best option. Seeking care at alternatives can save the member time and money — and reduce the capacity crunch at hospitals.
- For urgent care, a member’s first choice should be to consult with their primary care provider.
- Our Medicare and commercial member nurse care line is available 24/7 at 1-888-247-BLUE.
- For FEP members, the 24/7 nurse care line is 1-888-258-3432. FEP members can also chat with a nurse 24/7 at fepblue.org/myblue or via the FEPBlue app.
- Urgent care centers are another option. Most of these free-standing clinics are open seven days a week and are covered by Blue Cross.
- We also offer options for those people who don't have a primary care provider. Innovative providers Firefly Health, which offers virtual care, and Carbon Health, which offer online and in-person visits, often have same day primary and urgent care appointments for our members.* Both Firefly and Carbon work closely with mental health providers to give members a collaborative care experience.
*Firefly Health and Carbon Health are currently available to our members with commercial plans (HMO, PPO, and POS). These options will be available to Medicare Advantage and Federal Employee Plan members in the future.
Resources
- After hours support
- Emergency Room Alternatives (patient handout)
- The Find Care menu on bluecrossma.org:
