Am I required to contact my health plan before seeking care for accidental injuries or sudden and serious medical emergencies?
A. When an accidental injury or medical emergency requires immediate medical attention, you should seek medical care at the nearest medical facility. If there is not time to notify your PCP before seeking treatment, you or a family member should contact the PCP’s office as soon as possible after the emergency care has been received so that the PCP can coordinate follow-up care. If the injury or medical condition is not life-threatening, you should contact your PCP’s office before seeking treatment. In most cases, you may be able to receive care at the PCP’s office or at an urgent care center where you can be seen more quickly and efficiently than may be the case in the emergency department of a hospital.