Your health is a top priority. Knowing where to go for care helps you get better faster, avoid long waits, and save money while keeping stress to a minimum.
When you have a sudden health concern, taking a quick moment to think about your options can make all the difference. Urgent care is your best choice when you need medical attention soon, but your condition is not life-threatening. Urgent care centers usually have much shorter wait times than the emergency room and are often open evenings and weekends. Go straight to the nearest emergency room or call 911 immediately if you believe your condition is severe, dangerous, or life-threatening.
Go to Urgent Care Services
- Cold, flu, or cough symptoms
- Minor cuts, scrapes, or burns (even if stitches may be needed)
- Sprains, strains, or minor fractures (no bone sticking out)
- Urinary symptoms or possible urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Mild asthma symptoms or wheezing
- Rashes or mild allergic reactions
- Ear pain, sore throat, or sinus discomfort
Go to the Emergency Room
- Chest pain or pressure
- Trouble breathing or severe shortness of breath
- Sudden confusion, weakness, or signs of stroke
- Severe bleeding or major injuries
- Loss of consciousness or seizures
- Severe abdominal pain
- Head injury or trauma
- Severe allergic reaction (swelling, difficulty breathing)
Unsure What to Do? Call the Nurse Advice Line
If you are hesitating or aren’t sure whether your symptoms require a doctor’s visit, call your plan’s Nurse Advice Line first.
A registered nurse can:
- Listen to your symptoms and help you understand them
- Guide you to the right type of care
- Offer expert advice on how to treat your symptoms safely at home
This is a free, convenient option that gives you peace of mind without having to leave your house.
Pro Tip: Keep the phone number for your Nurse Advice Line and your preferred Urgent Care center saved in your phone or written down near your refrigerator so you are ready if care is needed quickly!
At AlohaCare, Your Health is in Caring Hands
AlohaCare is a nonprofit health plan created in 1994 by Hawaiʻi’s community health centers and Queen Emma Clinics. We support people of all ages who qualify for government-funded health plans. We are proud to be the second largest Medicaid and Medicare health plan in Hawaiʻi, serving families across the state.