On a Sunday morning, you have the chills and a fever. Your doctor’s office is closed. The illness is not an emergency, but you still want to feel better now.

At Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, we want you to get care when you need it. That’s why we work with local urgent care clinics to get you same-day care for non-life-threatening medical needs. These clinics have daytime, evening, and weekend hours. This is when most doctors’ offices are closed.

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for life-threatening illness or injury. Do not go to the urgent care clinic for anything you think is life-threatening.

If you can’t get to your PCP, or if urgent care is unavailable, then Teladoc is also an option.
 

Advantages of urgent care clinics

  • Shorter waiting times
  • Trained doctors and staff
  • Care for children and adults for urgent, non-life-threatening conditions including: 
    • Broken bones
    • Flu and allergy symptoms
    • Rashes
    • Sprains or strains
    • Fevers
    • Minor infections
    • Minor burns and cuts
    • Earaches, headaches, and stomach aches
    • Sore throat and coughing

 

Local urgent care clinics

To find an urgent care center near you, you can:

1. Call the Nurse Advice Line at (800) 609-4166 (TTY: 711), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

2. Call Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal Member Services

  Los Angeles: (800) 605-2556 (TTY: 711), 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday

  San Diego: (855) 699-5557 (TTY: 711), 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday

3. Call your PCP’s office at the phone number listed on your Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal ID card.

4. Call your medical group at the phone number listed on your Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal ID card.

5. Search the provider directory for urgent care clinics near you:

    Los Angeles County

    San Diego County

 

It is important that you always carry your Blue Shield Promise Medi-Cal ID card with you.

Type of Urgent Care Appointment Standard Wait Time**
For urgent care, if a prior authorization is not needed Within 48 hours of the request for appointment
For urgent care, if a prior authorization is needed* Within 96 hours of the request for appointment
Specialist, if a prior authorization is not needed Within 48 hours of the request for appointment
Behavioral health Within 48 hours of the request for appointment