Sick or Hurt After Hours?

Medical issues can happen at any time. Know where to go before something comes up.

• An urgent care center treats medical problems that require quick attention but are not life-threatening. Most urgent care centers see walk-in patients and are open evenings and weekends. Use our provider directory to find an urgent care center close to your home in our network.
• An emergency room, or ER, treats medical conditions that threaten to endanger your life or cause you serious injury. In a true emergency, don’t hesitate – call 911 or go to the ER.
• Your doctor’s office can treat health problems that can wait. For non-emergencies, call your PCP first. You may be able to schedule a same-day or next-day appointment or a telehealth visit from home.

When you can’t get in touch with your PCP, Johns Hopkins OnDemand Virtual Care is available 24/7. Use your computer or mobile device to connect with a doctor in minutes: no appointment needed! Sign up now so if something comes up, all you have to do is log in.

What Care Do I Need?

These guidelines can help you decide where to go. Still not sure? Call our Nurse Chat line at 888-202-8828. A registered nurse will help you figure out whether you need care right away or if it can wait.

Go to an urgent care center if you have any of these symptoms or conditions:

• Broken bone
• Infection
• Earache
• Unexplained skin rash
• Fever without a rash
• Vomiting or persistent diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• Dehydration
• Moderate flu-like symptoms
• Sprains and strains
• Small cuts that may require stitches

…call or go to an urgent care center.

Go to the ER if you have any of these symptoms or conditions:

• Serious injury
• Severe burns
• Terrible pain
• A condition that is getting worse fast
• Trouble breathing
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack
• Weakness/numbness on one side
• Slurred speech
• Fainting/change in mental state
• Head or eye injury
• Concussion/confusion
• Broken bones and dislocated joints
• Fever with a rash
• Seizures
• Severe cuts that may require stitches
• Facial lacerations
• Severe cold or flu symptoms
• Vaginal bleeding with pregnancy

For mild, non-life-threatening conditions, illnesses, or symptoms, call your doctor or use Johns Hopkins OnDemand Virtual Care.

Refer to your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) for benefit information regarding urgent care, emergency care, and office visits.