Using good judgement in deciding when to use emergency medical services is very important. Learn the signs of serious illnesses and trust your instincts. If you are alarmed by unusually severe symptoms, it is best to seek immediate care. Your PCP can tell you whether emergency treatment is necessary. For urgent problems that don't require emergency care, most doctors can accommodate same day appointments.
Many doctors now keep their offices open after hours or on weekends for urgent problems.
In certain service areas and for certain beneficiary groups, Gulf South has contracted with free-standing urgent care centers. For acute minor illnesses, urgent care centers present a much faster and more economical solution than seeking care in a hospital Emergency Department. If you are out of the Service Area, the usual, customary, and reasonable charges for emergency services will be covered. If the emergency results in an inpatient admission, you or your representative are responsible for notifying your Primary Care Physician within 48 hours of the admission for Network benefits to be considered, and to ensure certification of the admission. In any event, you must notify your Primary Care Physician or Gulf South within 48 hours.