To ER or not to ER? Click here to continue.
Click here to view a video about when to use an ER versus an ER alternative
Click on the map to locate the Missouri Emergency Room Alternatives near you


Find an ER alternative near you:
Walk-in Clinics
Urgent Care Centers

Not located in Missouri? To find a doctor, retail health clinic or urgent care center in our extensive network, go to anthem.com, click on “Find a Doctor” and follow the step-by-step instructions for provider search.

Getting care when you need it quickly

What will you do if you or a loved one needs immediate medical care? Most of us answer, “Go to the nearest emergency room.” But ER wait times are at an all-time high. Unless it’s a true emergency, you may want to consider other options — like urgent care centers and walk-in clinics. That’s why it’s important to know your alternatives for immediate care now, before you need them. You can often get treated more quickly and pay less than you would at a hospital emergency room.
 
When to use other options for immediate care
Urgent care centers and walk-in clinics are a good choice when you need medical care quickly, but can’t see your regular doctor. Tip: You can also contact your regular doctor's office to see if extended hours are available. Urgent care centers and walk-in clinics are often open nights and weekends, and cost much less than an ER visit. Before you go, call and ask about their hours, services and whether they participate in your network. You can find network participation information by looking at our on-line provider directory. See a chart of symptoms that usually can be treated somewhere other than the ER.
 
Choices for Immediate Care
Walk-in clinics — Many major pharmacies and retail stores have walk-in clinics. Walk-in clinics can provide convenient, routine care or minor medical care in a hurry.
Urgent care center — Urgent care centers can usually handle problems that need immediate attention but aren't life threatening.
 Your Average Copay: $100-250 ER Visit vs. $15-$40* Doctors office visit, walkin clinic, urgent care center
 
EMERGENCY ROOM RULE OF THUMB
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you think you could put your health at serious risk by delaying care. 
 
IF YOU CAN'T DECIDE, LET A NURSE HELP YOU
1.   Call our 24/7 NurseLine at the number on the back of your ID card.**
2.   A nurse will help you decide which type of care makes the most sense, and can help you find a clinic or health center near you.
 
If you get care from a provider that is NOT part of your health plan network, you may have significantly higher out-of-pocket costs.
*Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Hospital Ambulatory Care Survey, August 2008.
**Call Customer Service on the back of your ID card to see if 24/7 NurseLine is available on your plan.

Footer Links:

©2005-2011 copyright of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of: In Colorado: Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc. In Connecticut: Anthem Health Plans, Inc. In Indiana: Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. In Kentucky: Anthem Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc. In Maine: Anthem Health Plans of Maine, Inc. In Missouri: RightCHOICE®Managed Care, Inc. (RIT), Healthy Alliance®Life Insurance Company (HALIC), and HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates administer non-HMO benefits underwritten by HALIC and HMO benefits underwritten by HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates only provide administrative services for self-funded plans and do not underwrite benefits. In Nevada: Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc. In New Hampshire: Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire, Inc. In Ohio: Community Insurance Company. In Virginia: Anthem Health Plans of Virginia, Inc. In Wisconsin: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin ("BCBSWi") underwrites or administers the PPO and indemnity policies; Compcare Health Services Insurance Corporation ("Compcare") underwrites or administers the HMO policies; and Compcare and BCBSWi collectively underwrite or administer the POS policies. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Serving residents and businesses in Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Ohio, Wisconsin, Colorado, Nevada, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire and Virginia (excluding the city of Fairfax, the town of Vienna and the area east of State Route 123). Use of the Anthem Web sites constitutes your agreement with our Terms of Use