Living Healthy 2 Sometimes you get sick when your doctor’s office is closed. Maybe you need help fast. If you can’t see your doctor right away, you have other ways to get care. Here are some ways to get care: ■ Call your doctor’s office advice line. ■ Try telehealth (if your primary care doctor offers it). ■ Call our Nurse Advice Line. ■ Visit an urgent care clinic. What is a doctor’s advice line? Some doctor’s offices have a phone line you can call when you need medical help. This line lets you talk to a health care worker who can answer your questions, help with your symptoms and tell you what to do next. What is telehealth? Telehealth is when your doctor can see you on a video call. This is great for things that do not need a physical examination, such as flu symptoms and minor infections. Ask the doctor Dr. Dennis Hsieh is the Chief Medical Officer at Central California Alliance for Health. What should I do if I can’t see my doctor right away? Your health is important. These options can help you get care when you need it. If you have questions, call the Alliance Member Services Department at 800-700-3874. We’re here to help! Ask your doctor if they have this service for you. What is the Nurse Advice Line? If you are not sure where to go or what to do, the 24/7 Nurse Advice Line can help you. A nurse can help you decide if you need to go to urgent care, go to the emergency room or wait to see your doctor. Call 844-971-8907 (TTY: Dial 711) to talk to a nurse. You can also visit www.thealliance.health/ nurse-advice-line to learn more. What are urgent care clinics? Urgent care is for things that are not life-threatening, like minor injuries, illnesses and infections. These clinics have long hours and offer services like x-rays and stitches. Visit www.thealliance.health/ urgent-care to learn more. What if I think it’s serious? If you think you are having an emergency or something that is life-threatening, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away.
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