When your employees feel sick
Your employees have many options for getting care when they’re not feeling well. It’s important for them to know where to go to get the right care for their needs. It can save them time and money.
If they’re sick and need care, these are their options:
Doctor’s office
If they don’t have a life-threatening medical emergency, the best first step for your employees is to go to their regular doctor. Their regular doctor knows them and their health history. Their doctor will be able to do their follow-up care, too.
If your employees don’t have a regular doctor, they may not be able to get an appointment right away. But they can still use one of our other options below. Once they feel better, they should find a regular doctor. That way they’ll be able to make an appointment the next time they’re sick.
Urgent care
If they’re sick and it’s after hours or their doctor’s office is closed, urgent care might be what your employees need. They should go to an urgent care center if they have a health problem that can’t wait until the next day, but is not life-threatening. There are several in-network urgent care centers around the city and some are open 24 hours. Your employees will have a $50 copay.
Emergency rooms
If your employees have a life-threatening problem, they should go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. The emergency room is able to provide care for severe health issues such as:
- chest pain
- difficulty breathing
- stroke
- head trauma
- severe bleeding
- loss of vision
Do your employees need to stay in the hospital?
If your employees need to be admitted to the hospital, their doctor or the hospital must get pre-authorization first. If they’re admitted in an emergency situation, the hospital must get approval within 24 hours.
Do your employees need surgery?
If your employees need surgery for their health problem, they may have the option to get it at an outpatient surgery center instead of the hospital. They will not have to stay overnight. There’s a $250 copay.
Call 911
If your employees or their loved ones have a medical emergency and can’t drive to the hospital, they should call 911 for an ambulance. It’s always best to call 911 for emergencies like a heart attack or a stroke. Paramedics will start life-saving treatment on the way to the hospital.
Your employees should call 911 if they:
- have trouble breathing
- have severe pain or bleeding
- have impaired vision or
- feel like they’re going to pass out
If they’re taken to the hospital emergency room by ambulance, they will have to pay 25% of the cost of their ride.