When you need health care quickly, it can be difficult to know where to go. Life-threatening illnesses and emergencies necessitate a trip to the emergency room. However, emergency rooms may not be necessary in other medical situations. With the long waits and expensive costs at the ER, it’s important to know there are other ways to get care that can save you time and money.
Depending on your symptoms, you may want to consider an urgent care center, a telehealth visit, or another form of health care. Below, you will find resources for both Regence and Kaiser members.
It is recommended that both Regence and Kaiser members create an online account and/or download the medical plan’s mobile app to easily access the below options, though resources can also be accessed by calling Regence or Kaiser directly, using the phone number on the back of your medical ID card.
On-demand care: Best for urgent needs that aren’t life-threatening
You’re not feeling well, but your situation is not life-threatening, and your doctor’s office is closed or has no available appointments. Should you go to urgent care? The ER? Wait it out? It’s hard to know what to do. With these on-demand care options, you can get the care you need right away.
On-demand care resources for Regence members:
- Regence Advice24: Registered nurses are available 24/7 to assess your symptoms and help you decide on the best level of care. Phone: 877-375-2599.
- Urgent Care Clinic: Urgent care clinics are for illnesses or injuries that require prompt care but are not medical or mental health emergencies. To locate an urgent care clinic near you, sign on to your Regence BlueShield account and go to the Get Immediate Care tile, or use the Regence mobile app.
- Doctor on Demand: Get 24/7 virtual care from a health care professional. Set up your account using your Regence member ID number and the Doctor on Demand mobile app or sign on to your Regence BlueShield account and go to the Virtual Care tile.
Urgent Care Resources for Kaiser members:
Download the Kaiser Permanente Washington mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and/or register for your online account here to access all of the below services.
- 24/7 Clinician Care: Talk to a clinician 24/7 over the phone or on video for care when you need it, with no appointment needed. Visit this website for more information.
- 24/7 Phone Advice: Talk with a licensed care clinician day or night for advice by calling 800-297-6877.
- E-Visit: Get a personalized care plan or prescriptions for common health conditions. Responses are usually received within 2 hours. Click here to learn more about Kaiser’s e-visits.
- Urgent Care Clinic: Urgent care clinics are for illnesses or injuries that require prompt attention but are not medical or mental health emergencies. To find an urgent care clinic near you, visit this website.
- Routine Care: Best for non-urgent needs, existing issues, and new symptoms.
Having a primary care provider (PCP) or clinic that is your routine source of health care can help you manage your health and potentially prevent the need for some ER visits. Many PCPs offer telehealth visits, along with in-person visits. And many PCPs may be available to promptly assess the severity of your illness.
Visit this blogpost for more information on finding a PCP. You can also call your medical plan directly for help in finding a PCP; contact information is below:
- Regence Members: If you need help finding a PCP, call Regence at 800-376-7926.
- Kaiser Members: If you need help finding a PCP, call Kaiser at 206-600-4636.
If you need additional support, please contact our benefits team: Phone 206-684-1556 or
Email kc.benefits@kingcounty.gov