Getting Care 24/7 in Iowa

Know where to go for the care you need

Your healthcare needs don’t always follow a schedule. Learn where to go when you or your family needs care, no matter what time of day it is.

Your Primary Care Provider (PCP)

Your PCP is the doctor you’ll see for most of your healthcare needs and is listed on your ID card. Your PCP will:

Get to know you and your health history

Work with you to find specialists, treatment plans, and medicines when needed

When you’re sick or hurt, always call your PCP first (unless it’s an emergency). If you haven’t seen your PCP before, call and make a new patient appointment as soon as you can. It is a good idea to see them when you are well to help your doctor learn about your medical history before any health issues occur.

You can change your PCP anytime.

To find a PCP in our plan, use our Find Care search tool.

To change your PCP, log in to your secure account or chat with a representative via Live Chat.

24-hour Nurse HelpLine

866-864-2544

Español: 866-864-2545

24-hour Nurse HelpLine lets you call and speak with a nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week — even on holidays.

A registered nurse can help:

Answer questions about health concerns.

Find a doctor, urgent care center, or walk-in clinic.

Schedule an appointment with your doctor or another doctor in our plan.

LiveHealth Online

LiveHealth Online lets you visit a doctor through video chat on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.¹ It’s an easy way to get care for you or your family without leaving home.

With LiveHealth Online you get:

Care right away for common health problems like colds, the flu, or sore throats.

Prescriptions sent right to your pharmacy if needed.²

A doctor who speaks Spanish using Cuidado Médico on LiveHealth Online.

¹ Physical medicine only – behavioral health excluded.

² Prescriptions determined to be a “controlled substance” (as defined by the Controlled Substances Act under federal law) cannot be prescribed using LiveHealth Online.

LiveHealth Online is the trade name of Health Management Corporation, a separate company providing telehealth services on behalf of Wellpoint Iowa, Inc.

Urgent or after-hours care

An urgent medical condition is when care is needed for a sudden illness, injury, or condition that is not an emergency, but needs to be treated right away.

You may need urgent care if you have:

Minor burns

Earaches

A very sore throat

An injury from a fall

Frequent vomiting

A cut that’s deep enough to need stitches

A fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit

Muscle sprains, strains, or broken bones

To find an urgent care center near you, use our Find Care search tool.

In addition to urgent care centers, you can also go to retail health clinics or walk-in doctors’ offices for urgent care.

Emergency care

If you need emergency care, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room (ER).

Go to the ER if you:

Have chest pains

Have trouble breathing

Are bleeding badly

Are pregnant and have signs of harm to yourself or your baby like pain, bleeding, fever, or vomiting

Feel like you might hurt yourself or someone else

Call your PCP as soon as you can after you get out of the ER or urgent care center. Your PCP can help you get follow-up care.

Behavioral healthcare

We can help you find mental health and substance use services. Call Member Services at 833-731-2140 (TTY 711). You can also call 24-hour Nurse Helpline at 866-864-2544 (TTY 711). A Wellpoint clinical associate can help you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Or, in an emergency, call 911.