Where to get medical care

The key terms below may define places to get services and their specific advantages.

Note: This material is provided for informational use only and should not be construed as medical advice or used in place of consulting a licensed medical professional. You should consult with your doctor to determine what is right for you.

Doctor

Your primary care doctor is always your first choice, unless it’s an emergency. In fact, visiting your doctor for a preventive care checkup, covered by most plans at no extra cost, gives your doctor a chance to get to know you so he or she can be a true partner in helping you achieve lifelong well-being. Use the find a doctor tool after logging in.

Retail clinic

Retail clinics may be found in supermarkets or drug stores. Pick up your prescriptions, and ask for low-cost treatment for minor problems, such as checking high blood pressure. Check your provider directory for retail clinics available in your plan’s network.

Urgent care center

An urgent care center is also known as a retail clinic. Choose one if your doctor isn’t available and you need care right away for the flu, infections, minor burns or sprains. Check which urgent care centers are covered in your plan’s network at MyHumana.com.

Urgent care often provides the following advantages:

• Costs less than the emergency room
• Faster care
• Open late hours
• Walk-ins welcome (No appointment required.)

Emergency room

When you have a life-threatening injury or condition, always go to the emergency room or call 911. Your plan covers true emergencies at in-network and out-of-network providers, and no referrals or prior authorizations are needed.

What is considered an emergency? More information is available here: Emergency Care Information

HumanaFirst nurse advice line

If you're not sure where to get medical care, visit the webpage for the HumanaFirst® Nurse Advice Line.You can call anytime, 24 hours a day, at 1-800-622-9529 (TTY: 711).

Outpatient care centers and surgery centers

Outpatient care centers and surgery centers provide services for some tests and surgeries. They often cost less than a hospital. Check your provider directory to see which outpatient care and surgery centers are available in your plan’s network.

Care in the hospital

You may have to stay in the hospital for some medical problems. Hospital care is usually very expensive, and you may have other options in some cases. Talk with your doctor before you make any decisions about hospital care. Ask your doctor if you can use an outpatient center or urgent care center instead of going into a hospital. If you do need to stay in a hospital, be sure to choose a hospital in your plan's network.

Care while traveling

When you're traveling, you may find hospitals and doctors that are covered by your plan. Check which providers are within the Humana network in the following ways:

1. Call the Member Services number on the back of your ID card

2. Search for a doctor online under your Humana.com account