27 Jun Where You Get Care Can Save You Money

CGHC plans are designed to give you options for how and where you receive care, from convenient virtual options to emergency room care for life threatening emergencies. Know the differences so you can get the right care at the right time in the right place at the lowest cost.

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Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative helps pay for care delivered in many different in-network settings. Each option delivers a different level of care and comes with different costs depending on which plan you selected.

Starting with the lowest cost option (typically) and moving on from there:

• For common, uncomplicated issues: Virtual care can be started online 24/7 for common concerns such as UTI and sinus infections, allergies, respiratory illnesses, pink eye, poison ivy and more. Bonus: It’s provided at no cost to members in many of our plans. Visit our Virtuwell page to get started.
• When you want care from a certain health provider or clinic, but don’t require in-person care: You could send questions or request medication refills in MyChart, or schedule an e-visit by phone or video for certain follow up care or mental health counseling. Many health systems even offer “on-demand” services. Visit your in-network provider’s website for more information.
• When you can wait to see your primary care doctor (PCP). If you are dealing with something that can’t be handled through a virtual visit, it’s best to make an appointment with your doctor if you can. If you explain any concerns you have to the scheduling department, they may be able to get you in sooner.
• When you need a specialist: Some care falls outside of a PCP’s scope of practice, such as care that is focused on certain conditions or parts of the body. In CGHC plans, you don’t need a referral to see an in-network specialist.
• For urgent issues that are not life-threatening: If you need care that cannot wait for a scheduled visit, you can walk-in to an urgent care clinic. Our plans include coverage for urgent care visits even when you are traveling outside of our service region. When inside our service region, stick with an in-network provider.
• For life-threatening or serious illnesses and injuries. Please do not hesitate to go to your nearest emergency room, even if it is out of network. We just want you to get the care you need as quickly as possible in emergency situations.

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