EMERGENCIES
If you have a medical
emergency go to your nearest hospital emergency room no matter where the hospital
is located. In an emergency, your health insurance will pay the bill at the IN
NETWORK benefit since you did not plan the emergency and you are not expected
to call the Cooperative office in an emergency.
Every employer plan
has specific language that deals with how an emergency room visit is paid. Some
employers have an emergency room "deductible" when you use the
emergency room. Some employers have a "penalty" that is applied if
you go to the emergency room and you are NOT admitted to the hospital. Make
sure you check with your employer or TPA if you have any questions about how an
emergency room visit will be paid.
It is important that
you do NOT use the emergency room for services that are not considered an
emergency. Only you can determine if you are having an emergency. It is
important that you utilize your primary care physician to guide you through the
services that are needed for your specific situation.