Hospitals and emergency

Affiliated hospitals with Optum Care Network

Serving local hospitals

After joining Optum Care Network–AppleCare through a Medicare Advantage plan, each Optum Care Network member will be visited by a provider who will conduct a wellness exam, provide guidance and answer questions.

Find a hospital

Frequently asked questions about when to use the ER

When is it necessary to go to an emergency room instead of an urgent care?

You should call 911 and go to the nearest emergency room for all potentially life-threatening medical problems that need immediate attention. Examples of emergency situations include poisoning, inability to breathe, chest pain, serious head injury or loss of consciousness.

Should I call my doctor after his/her office closes? Is my doctor too busy?

You should call your doctor whenever you need medical care — even if his/her office is closed. Your doctor’s never too busy to talk to you. You may be asked to leave a message with your doctor’s answering service, and your doctor will call you back — usually within 30 minutes.

What should I do when I’m sick and I can’t wait until the next day for an appointment?
You can go to one of the urgent care clinics, or you can call our customer service department at 1-800-460-5051, TTY 711, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. We’ll help you with nurse advice or directions to your nearest urgent care clinic.
Do urgent care clinics cost less than emergency room visits?

Urgent care clinics cost less than emergency room visits. Most patients have to pay emergency rooms $50 to $100 out of their own pocket. Urgent care visits cost about the same as your doctor visits.

Will I have to wait a long time in the urgent care center for a doctor to see me?

Urgent care clinics have much shorter waiting times than emergency rooms. In emergency rooms, patients with serious, life-threatening medical conditions are seen first, which makes urgent care clinics more convenient for less serious conditions.

Should I call my doctor after my urgent care visit?

It’s very important for you or someone in your family to call your doctor within 24 hours of any emergency room or urgent care center visit. This way, your doctor is informed of your condition and can plan for any follow-up care that you might need. Your doctor must be kept informed of all of your medical care, including immunizations such as flu vaccines, and any urgent care that you have received.

What can I do to avoid using the emergency room?

You can call Optum Care Network customer service at 1-800-460-5051, TTY 711, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. We’ll help you make a decision regarding urgent care services and how to get immediate help from your health plan’s nurse advice line. Also, by making at least annual check-up appointments and keeping your doctor informed of all your health care needs, your doctor can be more attentive to your overall health and continue to coordinate every part of your health care needs.