​If you believe your situation requires urgent care, don’t delay—go to the emergency room or call 9-1-1. However, in non-emergency situations, you may want to contact your plan’s Nurse Advice Line. If you’re still not convinced that you should call the nurse advice line, here are 10 reasons why you should.

1. Save your life: Sometimes dangerous prescription drug interactions aren’t caught at the pharmacy. If you’re worried about drug interactions, call the nurse advice line and ask if your medications work together.

 

2. Apply self-care safely: This health-related information service is generally staffed by registered nurses who are trained to answer questions about common health problems and minor illnesses over the phone. Although nurses do not diagnose, prescribe or give medical advice, nurses can help you decide what you can safely do at home in non-emergency situations, such as treating the symptoms of a cold or easing the pain of a sprained ankle.

 

3. Save money: The nurse advice line can help you determine whether or not you have a medical emergency or need medical attention. This could save you from paying the emergency room or office copayment. All medical plans offered by The Sound Partnership have a nurse line you can call, toll-free. This information service is a part of your health plan and is offered at no additional cost to you.

 

4. Save time: Nurses can answer your questions and discuss how to administer home treatments that may save you an unnecessary trip to the doctor’s office.

 

5. Call at your convenience: You can access health information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year from any phone, anywhere in the United States. If you don’t want to talk to a nurse, an audio health library may also be available at the same toll-free number.

 

6. Find after-hours care: If your medical problem is serious, the nurse advice line can tell you how to find a doctor for after-hours care.

 

7. Your call is confidential: When you call, you may be asked for your plan ID number and name to verify that you’re enrolled in the plan. Your personal information doesn’t go any further and will not be shared with anyone else.

 

8. Peace of mind: Medical situations come up when you least expect them to and most of the time you’re unprepared for emergencies. But, if you’re not experiencing a medical emergency, it may give you peace of mind to call the nurse advice line and learn if there are simple treatments you can apply at home.

 

9. Improve communication with your doctor: The nurse advice line can help you prepare for your next doctor’s visit so that you can clearly describe your symptoms to your doctor and ask the right questions. When you better understand your health needs, you can work in partnership with your doctor to make informed decisions about your care.

 

10. Learn more about certain health conditions: If your doctor diagnoses a health problem or recommends a test or treatment that you don’t fully understand, the nurse advice line can give you general information on the risks, benefits and costs of many medical procedures and tests