Is This an Emergency?
What it is
Section titled “What it is”Knowing when to wait, when to see a doctor, when to go to urgent care, and when to call 911.
Why it helps you
Section titled “Why it helps you”It saves you money and fear, and it can save a life — yours or someone else’s.
This opens up
Section titled “This opens up”Calm, confident choices in a scary moment.
Where to get help
Section titled “Where to get help”A simple guide
Section titled “A simple guide”- Call 911 if someone can’t breathe, is choking, has severe chest pain or pressure, suddenly can’t speak, see, walk, or move, is bleeding heavily, has passed out, or has a seizure. An ambulance team can start care on the way.
- Go to a hospital emergency room (ER) for serious problems when the person is steady enough to ride in a car. Examples: a deep cut, a bone that may be broken, or coughing or throwing up blood.
- Go to urgent care for a mild problem that needs care today. Examples: a sore throat, an earache, a sprain, or a small cut.
- Wait for a regular visit for things that are mild and not getting worse, like a refill or a rash that isn’t spreading.
The government’s health library, MedlinePlus, has a longer list of warning signs. If you have insurance or Medicaid, look on the back of your card for a 24-hour nurse line. A nurse can help you decide where to go. Some health centers have an after-hours line for their patients, too.
Help on the phone
Section titled “Help on the phone”988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Free support any time you are in emotional pain, in crisis, worried about drugs or alcohol, or just need to talk.
- Cost: Free and confidential.
- Who can use it: Anyone in the US.
- How to start: Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org.
- Good to know: Open 24/7. Text and chat are also offered in Spanish.
Poison Help Poison experts tell you what to do if someone swallowed, breathed in, or touched something harmful, or took too much medicine.
- Cost: Free and confidential.
- Who can use it: Anyone in the US. You can call even if you’re not sure it’s an emergency.
- How to start: Call 1-800-222-1222. Have the bottle or package nearby.
- Good to know: Open 24/7, with interpreters in many languages. If the person is not breathing or won’t wake up, call 911 first.
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline Counselors for people who are pregnant or just had a baby and feel overwhelmed, sad, or anxious.
- Cost: Free and confidential.
- Who can use it: Pregnant and new parents. Partners and family can call too.
- How to start: Call or text 1-833-852-6262 (1-833-TLC-MAMA).
- Good to know: Open 24/7 in English and Spanish.
211 A free line that connects you to local help, like low-cost clinics, food, and housing.
- Cost: Free and confidential.
- Who can use it: Anyone.
- How to start: Dial 211 and say, “I need a low-cost clinic near me.” Or search at 211.org.
- Good to know: Each area runs its own 211, so services differ by place.
Your rights at the hospital
Section titled “Your rights at the hospital”Emergency care rules (CMS) A federal law called EMTALA says most hospital ERs must check you and treat an emergency, whether or not you can pay.
- Cost: You may still get a bill later.
- Who can use it: Anyone who comes to a hospital ER.
- How to start: Go to the ER. You don’t need money, insurance, or ID to be seen for an emergency.
- Good to know: Most hospitals are nonprofits. The IRS requires them to have a “financial assistance policy” for people who can’t pay. Ask the billing office for the application, even after you get the bill.
If you only do one thing first
Section titled “If you only do one thing first”Save these numbers in your phone today: 911, 988, and Poison Help, 1-800-222-1222. Then find a community health center near you (see Starting Your Medical Life). Having your own clinic means you’ll have somewhere to call when you’re not sure.
Watch out for
Section titled “Watch out for”- ERs that look like urgent care. Some emergency rooms stand alone in shopping areas and look like urgent care. They can bill like a hospital ER. If it isn’t an emergency, ask at the door, “Is this urgent care or an emergency room?”
- Skipping the ER because of cost. In a true emergency, don’t wait. The hospital must treat you first. Ask about financial assistance afterward.
- Urgent care and money. Urgent care clinics are not required to see you for free and often ask for payment first. Ask the price before you’re seen.
- Waiting out a mental health crisis alone. Feeling like you might hurt yourself is an emergency, too. Call or text 988 any time.