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Where to start: Your primary care doctor
A primary care doctor is sometimes called a primary care physician, PCP or family doctor. They know your health history so they should be your first call when you’re not feeling well. It’s important to have a regular doctor, so you can see them when you’re sick or need preventive care like annual checkups and vaccinations.
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Primary care doctor
See a primary care doctor for short-term, long-term or preventive care.
How it works
You make an appointment to see your doctor. Many offices offer same-day appointments and others keep their phones open after hours.
When to use it
If you or a loved one isn't feeling well, you're not pressed for time and it isn't an emergency. When it comes to your health, no one knows you like your primary doctor. Over time, they get to know what illnesses you're prone to and what medications seem to help. And if you need it, they can also recommend follow-up care so you can count on them through your entire care journey.
Find a primary care doctor
Log in to your Blue Cross online account. Then, look for Doctor's Office and choose Find a PCP to start your search.
Log in to find a doctor

PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR HIGHLIGHTS
- Cost: $$
- Average wait time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Availability: In person, virtual
Learn more about primary care doctors

When you're feeling kind of crummy, or your child has a sick tummy, you need a trusted health care professional who knows you. There's a place for that.
Your primary care doctor is an excellent choice for treating minor to moderate illnesses, like colds, flu and respiratory infections.
Primary care doctors get to know your health history over time, including what medications seem to help. And if you need it, they can recommend follow-up care, too.
Because life doesn't always follow a schedule, many doctors are now available during early morning, late evening, and weekend office hours.
Don't have a primary care doctor yet? Go to bcbsm.com/findcare to locate one near you and see even more choices for care.

24-Hour Nurse Line
Receive answers to quick medical questions when your doctor's office is closed.
How it works
A registered nurse speaks with you over the phone, day or night.
When to use it
If you'd like free advice on whether you should self-treat symptoms or head to the doctor.
Call the nurse line
Call the number that corresponds to your plan to reach a nurse any time, day or night.
PPO members: 1-800-775-2583

24-HOUR NURSE LINE HIGHLIGHTS
- Cost: No cost
- Average wait time: 5 minutes
- Availability: Phone
Learn more about the nurse line

Late at night? Don't feel quite right? If you have questions about your symptoms, but your doctor's office is closed, there's a place for that.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's 24-hour Nurse Line is staffed with registered nurses who are ready to help, right when you need it.
They're available around the clock if you have questions about minor symptoms like a stomachache, diarrhea or a cough.
They can point you in the right direction for care and recommend additional treatment, too. There's no cost, and you can use this service from anywhere in the U.S.
With the 24-hour Nurse Line, peace of mind is just a phone call away. To see even more choices for care, go to bcbsm.com/findcare.

Blue Cross Online Visits
Blue Cross Online Visits makes it easy for you and your family to get care. You can get a prescription if you need it, and even walk away with a visit summary to share with your primary doctor.
How it works
You get face-to-face time – anytime and anywhere** – with a U.S. board-certified doctor. Just use your smart phone, tablet or computer for a virtual visit.
When to use it
If your doctor isn't available but you'd still like a quick consultation with one. It's also a good option if you're traveling.
Sign up for online visits
Register for an online visits account now so you'll be ready the next time you're sick.
Online visits

BLUE CROSS ONLINE VISITS HIGHLIGHTS
- Cost: Same as your office copay, or $59
- Average wait time: 5 minutes
- Availability: Virtual
Learn more about online visits

Is your life keeping you busy? Do you need a convenient, trusted place to get professional care? With the BCBSM Online Visits app and website, you can get quality care, anywhere… Just use your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Each doctor is U.S. board-certified and specifically trained to provide virtual care. They can help with colds and flu, eye irritation, mild allergy symptoms, and more.
They can even send a visit summary to your primary care physician after you're seen.
Does your plan cover behavioral health? If your plan covers it, you can make an appointment with a therapist or psychiatrist online, too. They can help with anxiety, depression, grief or insomnia… all at a cost that's the same or less than a regular office visit.
Download the BCBSM Online Visits app from the App Store or Google Play, or visit bcbsmonlinevisits.com.
To see even more choices for care, go to bcbsm.com/findcare.

Retail health clinic
How it works
You're seen by a nurse practitioner or physician assistant at a clinic inside your local drug or grocery store.
When to use it
If you'd like a quick, in-person consultation for minor symptoms when your doctor is out. Retail health clinics are usually right around the corner at places you already visit during the week. Just walk in and get treated. Then, pick up your prescription and over-the-counter meds, all in one place. Many offer evening and weekend hours, too.
Find a retail health clinic
To find a retail health clinic that accepts your plan, simply log in to your Blue Cross member account.
Find a nearby health clinic
Don't have an online account yet? Register now.

RETAIL HEALTH CLINIC HIGHLIGHTS
- Cost: $$
- Average wait time: 30 minutes
- Availability: In person
Learn more about retail health clinics

A scratchy throat... a runny nose… these aren't things you schedule into your week. But when they show up, you want quick, convenient treatment. Well, there's a place for that.
Retail health clinics are a convenient way to get care fast. They're usually located throughout your community, in locations that you already visit. They can treat common sore throats, coughs, sinus infections and more.
Once you're there, you'll get a quick, in-person evaluation… in a private exam room… by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner… who is overseen by a U.S. board-certified doctor.
And since most retail health clinics have pharmacies on-site, you can get your prescription filled right then and there.
Retail health clinics are a great choice for getting the treatment you need, so you can get back to feeling better, faster.
For severe or life-threatening emergencies, the ER is always the right choice. But for immediate care for minor symptoms, there's a place for that: your convenient retail health clinic.
To see if there's a retail health clinic near you – and to check out even more choices for care – go to bcbsm.com/findcare now.

Urgent care
Urgent care centers are a good choice if it's after hours, you have a minor illness or injury, and you'd like in-person care.
How it works
You simply walk in. No appointment is needed.
When to use it
If you or a loved one has moderate symptoms, your doctor isn't available but you'd still like an in-person consultation.
Sometimes you get sick when your doctor's office is closed or busy. Urgent care centers can help you with that. They offer extended hours and weekend service that's perfect for the whole family. Many offer labs and diagnostic services, too – giving you convenience and peace of mind.
Find an urgent care center
Get to know where your nearest urgent care center is now so you can save time and money later. Just log in to your Blue Cross member account to find a location that accepts your plan.
Log in to find a nearby center

URGENT CARE HIGHLIGHTS
- Cost: Varies depending on services rendered
- Average wait time: 30 to 60 minutes
- Availability: In person
Learn more about urgent care

When you get sick or have a minor accident, you just want to get treated and back to feeling good. But being sick or injured doesn't always happen during normal business hours.
So what do you do when you need care, but your doctor's office is closed? Don't worry: There's a place for that.
Local urgent care centers are staffed with U.S. board-certified doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners. They can usually see you after hours and on the weekends, too.
Plus, many centers include lab and X-ray services. That means you'll get thorough, personalized care all without needing an appointment.
If you have moderate—but not severe—symptoms, visiting an urgent care center could be better than a wait in the emergency room. And at a lower cost.
To see if there's an urgent care center near you—and to check out even more choices for care—go to bcbsm.com/findcare now.

Emergency room
Although we hope it never happens, sometimes you need emergency care. The ER at your local hospital will be ready if you find yourself in this situation. Because it was designed for life-threatening conditions, you'll get expert care within moments of your arrival. Keep in mind, visiting for mild to moderate symptoms – like a headache or stomachache – could cost you unnecessary time and money.
How to get this care
In an emergency, call 911 or go to an ER near you.
How it works
You drive up and are assisted inside. Or, an ambulance can transport you there.
When to use it
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms that could indicate a life-threatening condition – such as chest pain, blurred vision, signs of poisoning or an unconscious state.
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