When and How to Get These Four Kinds of Care
Where to go when you need healthcare can depend on the type of care you need. Learn when and how to get these four important kinds of care to stay healthy and independent.
1) ROUTINE CARE
Use it for when you need regular care, such as wellness visits, physicals, preventive care and chronic condition management.
How to get it: Call your doctor’s office to make an appointment. These are often longer appointments scheduled well in advance.
PRO TIP: Before you leave the doctor’s office for your appointment, consider scheduling your next appointment.
2) NON-URGENT CARE
Use it when you have new symptoms or changes in your health, or you want to talk to your doctor about your care.
How to get it: Call your primary care doctor’s office. The staff will decide how soon you need to be seen based on your reason for coming in. Usually, you will be able to see your doctor within 10 days. But if it’s something simple, like adding refills to your prescription, you may be able to get a shorter appointment more quickly.
PRO TIP: Find out if your medical group has a patient portal that will let you make appointments, communicate with your doctor, get lab results and more.
3) URGENT CARE
Use it when you feel sick or have a minor injury that doesn’t merit a trip to the ER—but it can’t wait for you to get in touch with your doctor.
How to get it: You’ve got options!
- Visit an urgent care center. Find out from your primary care doctor or medical group which urgent care locations they work with. Often this information is listed on the medical group’s website, along with hours and even wait times.
- Use your SCAN Telehealth benefit to connect with a doctor or nurse practitioner. Available by phone: 1-888-993-4087 (TTY: 711) or virtual visit: doctorondemand.com/SCAN.
- Call SCAN’s Nurse Advice Line to speak with a Registered Nurse: 1-855-431-5537 (TTY: 711). Nurse Advice Line nurses can’t prescribe medications or answer benefit questions.
PRO TIP: During business hours, consider calling your doctor’s office to see if you can be seen that day.
4) EMERGENCY CARE
When you have a severe illness or injury that requires immediate medical attention.
How to get it: Call 911 or go directly to the nearest hospital emergency room.
PRO TIP: When you arrive at the hospital (or as soon as possible), let the staff know you’re a SCAN Health Plan member.
3 Ways to Get Help with Your SCAN Plan and Benefits
You’ll want to talk with your doctor whenever you have a question about your health or care. But when you have questions about your plan or need help using your benefits, turn to SCAN.
- Look in your SCAN online member account.
- Visit the SCAN website: scanhealthplan.com/members.
- Contact SCAN Member Services. The phone number is on the back of your SCAN ID card. Or, send a secure email from your SCAN online account.
If you have don’t have a Medicare Advantage plan, look at the comprehensive coverage, award-winning service, and extensive network of caring physicians offered by SCAN Desert Health Plan.
