What do I do if I need to go to the Emergency Room?

If you believe you have a serious medical or surgical problem, such as new onset of chest pain or severe pain in your abdomen that has been getting worse over the past several hours and you cannot reach your doctor, it is reasonable to go to the Emergency Room for assistance. The hospital must do a medical screening evaluation prior to determining your medical coverage (as mandated by federal law). Emergency room visits for non-emergency conditions will not be approved as medically necessary and will not be covered by the Pension, Hospitalization and Benefit Plan.

Examples of true emergencies include premature labor, significant bleeding from any site, broken bones, losing consciousness, new onset of seizures or seizures that are not being controlled, and difficulty breathing.