Disclaimer arrow_icon

By shopping with third-party insurance agencies, you may be contacted by a licensed insurance agent from an independent agency that is not connected with or endorsed by the federal Medicare program.

These agents/agencies may not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-Medicare to get information on all options available.

Learn about Medicare plans.^*

Explore plans from a licensed agency!

These agents/agencies may not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-Medicare to get information on all options available.

Home > Glossary > urgently needed care

urgently needed care

What is urgently needed care?

If you’re enrolled in a Medicare plan other than Original Medicare, and you fall ill or need care immediately (but it is not life-threatening), your are entitled to coverage from your primary care doctor. If you are out of the service area of your plan and can not wait to return home to receive care, your health plan will pay for your urgently needed care.

service area

Some services provided by your health plan may be limited to a defined service area. If you move out of the service area for some Medicare plans, you will automatically be disqualified from that plan.

primary care doctor

Your primary care doctor is the physician you turn to first regarding any health care issue that may arise. If you need a specialist, you trust your primary care doctor to give you the best referral for that extra care.

Medicare Part B – enrollee benefits and coverage costs

Medicare Part B provides coverage of services provided by doctors, outpatient hospital services and other healthcare providers, as well as some home health services and durable medical equipment.

service area

primary care doctor

Medicare Part B – enrollee benefits and coverage costs

Medicare Part B provides coverage of services provided by doctors, outpatient hospital services and other healthcare providers, as well as some home health services and durable medical equipment.

See more articles

urgently needed care

What is urgently needed care?

What is urgently needed care?

Related Articles

service area

primary care doctor

Medicare Part B – enrollee benefits and coverage costs

service area

primary care doctor

Medicare Part B – enrollee benefits and coverage costs