When Your Child Is Sick
When your child is sick it is important for you to know what to do. The following will give you information on the different services available to you when your child becomes sick.
How and where to get care (PDF)
Your child’s PCP
Always try to call your child’s PCP when they feel sick.
Nurse Call Line
Our Nurse Call Line is a confidential service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-877-625-2447. Specially trained nurses can answer questions about your child’s health and give you information when your child’s doctor is not available. They can help you choose the right level of care based on your child’s symptoms. Please remember that the Nurse Call Line does not take the place of your child’s doctor. Always follow up with your child’s doctor if you have questions about your child’s health care.
Urgent care centers
Urgent care is for conditions that are serious, but are not emergencies. It requires attention from a doctor, but not in the emergency room (ER). Some examples are:
- Coughing
- Vomiting
- Pink Eye
- Rashes
- Diarrhea
If your child needs urgent care, but you are not sure it is an emergency, call your child’s PCP first. Your child’s doctor will help you decide if you need to take your child to the ER, PCP, or urgent care center. If you cannot get in touch with your child’s PCP, remember that the 24-hour Nurse Call Line is always available to you. If you do take your child to an urgent care center, please be sure to follow up with your child’s PCP within 24 hours.
Emergency rooms
An emergency is when your child must be seen immediately.
For emergencies dial 911 for an ambulance or go directly to the nearest ER. Some examples of an emergency are:
- Chest pain
- Choking
- Poisoning
- Heavy breathing
- Unable to breathe properly
- Broken bones
- Severe dizzy spells, fainting, or blacking out
These are just some examples of an emergency.
You do not need approval from Keystone First – CHIP for your child to receive care in an emergency. The hospital cannot turn you away. It is the law. If you do take your child to the ER, please be sure to follow up with your child’s PCP within 24 hours.
If you cannot find what you are looking for on our website, please call Enrollee Services at 1-844-472-2447 (TTY 711) or take a look at our Enrollee handbook (PDF). Our representatives are there to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Nurse Call Line: 1-877-625-2447 (TTY 711)