Before You Head to the Doctor, Check This First
Where you receive care matters.
When you need medical care, you may have more options than you realize. Choosing the right place for care can save you time, help control costs for UNI’s self-insured health plan, and help manage the premiums we all pay in the future.
Before you schedule an appointment or head to urgent care, take a moment to consider your options.
Different types of care can have very different costs. When your situation isn't an emergency, consider the level of care you need before deciding where to go.
| Virtual Care | Doctor's Office | Urgent Care | Emergency Room | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Relative Cost | $ | $$ | $$$ | $$$$ |
| Average Cost to the Plan | $146 | $193 | $280 | $1,368 |
| Average Cost Per Member | Plan copay | Plan copay | Plan copay | $210 |
| Time & Access | Often quickest | Appointment needed | Wait times vary | Wait times vary |
| Best For | Common, less severe conditions | Routine and ongoing care | Conditions needing prompt, in-person care | Severe or life-threatening conditions |
Remember: Your out-of-pocket cost is only part of the picture. The total amount paid by UNI's self-insured health plan can vary significantly depending on where you receive care. Our plan has 3,700 members.
Could a Virtual Visit Work?
Before leaving home, consider whether Doctor On Demand could meet your needs.
Doctor On Demand connects you with a board-certified physician or licensed mental health provider using your phone, tablet or computer. For many common conditions, virtual care can be a convenient and cost-effective alternative to receiving care in person.
Not sure what type of care you need? Wellmark nurses are available 24/7 to help assess your symptoms and connect you with appropriate care.
Call BeWell 24/7 at 844-84-BEWELL
What Type of Care Might I Need?
Use this table as a general guide when considering your options for less severe conditions.
| Condition/Symptom | Virtual Care | Doctor's Office | Urgent Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allergic Reactions (Minor) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Animal Bites | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Asthma Attack (Minor) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Back Pain | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Broken Bones (Minor) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Bronchitis | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Burns (Minor) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Cold, Cough, And Flu | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cuts And Scrapes | ✔ | ||
| Digestive Issues | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ear Pain | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Eye Pain Or Irritation | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fever | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Headache (Minor) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Infections | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Injuries (Minor) | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Insect Bites | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Mental/Behavioral Health | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Sinus Pain | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Skin Conditions | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Sore Throat | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Sprains And Strains | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Stitches | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Urinary Tract Infection | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Vaccinations | ✔ | ||
| Vomiting | ✔ | ✔ |
Your individual circumstances may require a different level of care. When you're unsure, contact a health care professional or call BeWell 24/7 at 844-84-BEWELL for guidance.
When It's an Emergency, Go to the ER
The emergency room is there when you need it. For a severe or life-threatening illness or injury, seek emergency care.
| Symptoms/Conditions That May Require Emergency Care | Emergency Room |
|---|---|
| High Fever with Headache or Stiff Neck | ✔ |
| Loss of Consciousness | ✔ |
| Major Injury | ✔ |
| Overdose | ✔ |
| Poisoning | ✔ |
| Seizure | ✔ |
| Severe Allergic Reaction | ✔ |
| Signs Of Heart Attack or Stroke | ✔ |
| Spine Injury | ✔ |
| Sudden Severe Headache | ✔ |
| Suicidal or Self Harming Thoughts | ✔ |
| Trouble Breathing | ✔ |
In an emergency, don't delay care because of cost.
Having a Procedure? Compare Where You Go, Too.
Medical Estimates
Through your myWellmark account, you can access Care Finder and the Cost Estimator Tool. This tool can provide you insight into how much a procedure, service, or doctor's visit will cost depending on where you seek service. This will not only show your out-of-pocket cost, but also what the service will cost the health plan.
The costs of services cost more when a member seeks services out-of-state. This is to portray the differences in costs for the UNI PPO (Alliance Select), as the UNI Blue HMO Plan only has coverage out-of-state for accidental injuries or emergencies.
Wellmark also has a helpful guide on questions you should ask before a procedure, during a hospital stay, and after receiving care.
Visit our Know Your Wellmark Tools web page to learn how to use the Cost Estimator Tool.
Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) vs Hospital Outpatient Facility
Your choices don't stop at doctor visits. Where you have a scheduled procedure can also make a significant difference in the total cost of your care.
An Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) provides same-day surgical, diagnostic and preventive procedures outside of a hospital outpatient setting. Depending on the procedure, an ASC may offer a lower-cost and more convenient alternative to a hospital outpatient facility.
Common Services Available at an ASC
| Procedure | Consider an ASC |
|---|---|
| Colonoscopy and other GI procedures | ✔ |
| Cataract and other eye procedures | ✔ |
| Knee and shoulder arthroscopy | ✔ |
| Carpal tunnel and other hand procedures | ✔ |
| Hernia repair | ✔ |
| Certain pain-management procedures and injections | ✔ |
| Some ear, nose and throat (ENT) procedures | ✔ |
| Certain gynecological procedures | ✔ |
| Minor orthopedic procedures | ✔ |
| Some urology procedures | ✔ |
Before scheduling a procedure, ask: "Does this need to be performed at a hospital, or do I have another in-network option?"
Wherever conflicts occur between the contents of this site and the contracts, rules, regulations, or laws governing the administration of the various programs, the terms set forth in the various program contracts, rules, regulations, or laws shall prevail. Space does not permit listing all limitations and exclusions that apply to each plan. Before using your benefits, review the plan's coverage manual. Benefits provided can be changed at any time without the consent of participants.