After an emergency room visit or hospital stay 

Schedule and keep follow-up appointments 

Patients often ask why they should see their healthcare provider after an emergency room visit or hospital stay. There are many reasons why it’s a good idea:

• It’s important for your provider to know the reason for your visit or stay, and the care you got while there.
• Timely follow-ups allow you and your provider to talk about next steps for your recovery.
• For help in planning self-care activities to avoid a return visit or stay.

Follow-up appointments are most important within seven days after leaving the emergency room or hospital. Follow-up care can be with a primary care provider or with a mental health practitioner — the care you receive is based on the reason for your visit or stay.

What to expect during a follow-up appointment

Your healthcare provider may ask:

• How have things been going since your ER visit or hospital stay?
• What would help you most at this appointment?
• What was the reason for your visit or stay?
• What medications are you taking, and on what schedule?
• Who and what makes up your your support system?

Your healthcare provider may also:

• Review any medications you are taking and adjust, if needed.
• Share results of any hospital tests that were done.
• Talk about, or review, your Wellness Recovery Action Plan.
• Schedule your next follow-up appointment, if needed.

In some cases, a follow-up appointment can take place on the same day or soon after and may be in the form of a home or telehealth visit or at a mental health center.

Need help finding a provider? 

Use our online provider search or call the Customer Care Center number on the back of your insurance card.

After a hospital or emergency room visit, you may receive a call from one of our trained Care Managers.  Our care managers provide free education and resource coordination to Health Plan members with mental health and/or substance use concerns.