Knowing Where to Go for Care

When should I choose my primary care doctor (PCP), urgent care or the ER?

If it's not an emergency, your primary care doctor should be your first choice when seeking care. Your PCP can treat common illnesses (cold, flu, sore throat, etc.) and minor injuries and conduct routine exams, vaccinations and screenings.

If you get your health plan through your employer, check with your primary care doctor, behavioral health provider or specialist to see if they offer virtual care. And, be sure to check your cost share. With a virtual visit, you may be able to get care wherever you are for as low as a $0 copay. If your doctor isn’t available, you may be able to use Teladoc, the nation’s largest virtual health care company. Check with human resources to verify your plan’s benefits.

If you buy your own plan for you and your family, virtual visits with designated primary care doctors and 24/7 care with Teladoc are available for a $0 out-of-pocket cost with most plans. Ask your doctor if they offer virtual visits.

To contact Teladoc, you can download the mobile app or call 800-TELADOC.

If you need care right away, use this guide to help decide where to go:

Urgent care centers are less expensive than ERs and often have shorter wait times. Many times, an urgent care center can also provide any necessary labs or X-rays as part of your treatment. Visit an urgent care center for conditions like:

• Cold and flu-like symptoms
• Migraines
• Sinus infection
• Urinary tract infection
• Upper respiratory infections
• Low back pain, strains, sprains and/or breaks
• Mild burns

To find an in-network urgent care center (UCC) near you, click here.  For a broader list of UCCs, which includes out-of-network options, click here

 In a life-threatening emergency, always call 911 or go to the nearest ER. Examples of symptoms that require ER care include:

• Severe chest pain (a possible heart attack)
• Signs of a possible stroke
• Severe or sudden shortness of breath
• Sudden or unexplained loss of consciousness

Learn more about your options and what to consider when choosing where to go for care in the video below.

Going to an ER for nonemergent services can be very costly.  You could save on medical costs by choosing to go to an Urgent Care Center (UCC).

Example 1:

Going to an Urgent Care (UCC) for treatment of a Sprained Ankle

• You Pay - $55*
• Florida Blue Covers - $103*

Going to an ER for treatment of a Sprained Ankle

• You Pay - $626*
• Florida Blue Covers - $1,093*

Note: ER cost includes Facility Fees

Example 2:

Going to an Urgent Care (UCC) for treatment of Flu Symptoms

• You Pay - $59*
• Florida Blue Covers - $99*

Going to an ER for treatment of Flu Symptoms

• You Pay - $765*
• Florida Blue Covers - $1,367*

Note: ER cost includes Facility Fees

What’s a Value Choice Provider?

As a Florida Blue member, you may save time and money when you see a primary care doctor at any Value Choice Provider location. They offer you quality care — under one roof — for many conditions. And since many of them offer extended hours, it can be easier to find time to go to the doctor.

 You'll save time with on-site diagnostic tests at many locations, and you can request a Spanish-speaking doctor. And best of all, if you choose a Value Choice Provider as your primary care doctor, you could have appointments for as low as a $0 copay per visit. (This doesn't apply if you have a Health Savings Account plan, Simple Choice plan or myBlue plans 2126, 2146, 2266 or 2286.)

To find a Value Choice Provider near you, visit  our online provider directory and under Programs, select Value Choice Provider.

*These are examples based on averages of all claims from in-network providers for commercial Florida Blue products in the year 2020 and are not specific to any plan.  Members should refer to their plan benefits for more details regarding appropriate member liability for specific services.