Step Two: Where and when to get care

• For preventive and routine care


• Hours of operation vary by clinic


• Appointment usually needed

In most cases, it's best to see your primary care provider. This is the provider you choose to see on a regular basis for preventive and routine care. Your primary care provider knows you and your health history and can provide follow-up care or refer you to a specialist if needed.

Appointments are usually needed and can generally be scheduled within 10 calendar days following non-urgent symptoms. Times vary, but it could take up to 45 calendar days to schedule a routine, non-urgent, preventive care visit. 

Convenience care center

• For common minor illnesses such as:
  • Sore throat
  • Ear infection
  • Rash


• Not for emergencies


• For those 18 months and older


• Often open after hours, weekends, holidays


• No appointment needed

Convenience care sites can be found in:

• Shopping malls
• Pharmacies
• Other retail stores

Convenience care clinics are staffed by a nurse practitioner or other licensed professional. They don’t typically have a medical doctor on site.

Appointments are usually needed and can typically be scheduled within 10 calendar days following non-urgent symptoms. Times may vary, but it could take up to 45 calendar days to schedule a routine, non-urgent visit. 

Virtual care

• Able to treat common health conditions


• Not for emergencies


• Available online  after hours, sometimes 24/7


• No appointment needed

Also known as online care or e-visits, virtual care is a convenient way to connect with a provider from your computer or mobile device. You receive a diagnosis, treatment plan and prescription (if needed). Virtual care may cost less and be a time-saving option for non-urgent matters. Most benefit plans cover virtual care. To see if yours does, call the Customer Service number on the back of your Medica ID card.

Note: Online care through virtuwell^® is not available for Individual and Family plan members living, working of traveling in Kansas or Nebraska.

Retail pharmacy care

• Administer vaccines


• Examine blood pressure


• Medication therapy management (MTM)


• Not for emergencies


• May not need appointment

Retail pharmacy care is supported by the pharmacist and technician staff employed in each retail pharmacy. Staff can also answer questions about the drugs you take.

Each retail pharmacy operates differently and may recommend appointments for certain services based on store traffic. Certain times during the day may be busier than others based on store traffic. 

• For minor illnesses or injuries that need immediate care


• Not for emergencies


• Open weeknights and often weekends and/or holidays


• No appointment needed

Urgent care centers treat sprains, minor broken bones, mild asthma attacks, minor infections and rashes, small cuts, flu-like symptoms, sore throats and other minor illnesses that need attention right away, but may not be considered an emergency, Urgent care centers are staffed with physicians.

In most cases, these locations treat patients on a first-come, first-served basis with no required appointments. Care sites may be open after-hours, weekends and/or holidays. Wait times vary depending on volume of other patients, but don't usually exceed a 48-hour wait. 

If your situation seems life threatening, go to an ER or call 911 right away.

• For true emergencies


• Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week


• No appointment needed

Emergency rooms (ER) are designed and staffed to treat people with severe and immediate medical needs. Patients with true emergencies will be seen first, so if you go to an ER with a non-emergency need, you may have a long wait. Plus, care at an ER could cost you more than care at a clinic or other care option.

Go to the ER for things such as:

• Heavy bleeding
• Large open wounds
• Severe head injury
• Trouble breathing
• Chest pain
• Signs of stroke (sudden change in vision, sudden weakness, sudden trouble talking)
• Major burns

• For specialized care such as:
  • Foot
  • Skin
  • Heart
  • Broken bones
  • Cancer


• Not for emergencies


• Appointment needed


• May need to schedule well in advance

When you have specialized treatment needs, a specialist can provide the care you need. Often, referrals to a specialist come from your primary care provider.

Because specialists are in high demand, appointments are usually needed and can sometimes be required far in advance. It's not uncommon for a specialist to require a six-week lead time for appointments.