More about emergencies

What is an Emergency?

An emergency is any condition that may cause death or serious injury if not treated right away.
Always go to the ER or call 911 when you have a true emergency.

Not all medical problems are emergencies.

• You can treat some problems at home with rest and over-the-counter medication.
• Other problems should be treated by your Primary Care Provider (PCP), and in a true emergency, the only thing to do is head for the emergency room, fast.

Note: If you go to the emergency room and it’s not an emergency, your health insurance may not pay for the visit.

Some examples of emergencies:

• injury to eyes or ears
• trouble breathing after taking medication or being bitten by an insect
• a broken bone
• chest or upper stomach pain
• coughing up or throwing up blood
• pain in the chest and one arm
• bleeding that won't stop
• poisoning or drug overdose
• seizure
• sudden dizziness or weakness
• slurred speech
• sudden difficulty seeing
• trouble breathing
• sudden inability to move a body part
• sudden confusion
• thinking about suicide

After receiving medical attention at an emergency room, call your PCP within 48 hours so that your doctor can give you follow-up care.