What is considered an emergency case?

A case is a medical emergency if the condition or situation threatens a person’s life or causes disability (loss of organ function). These illnesses or injuries require immediate medical or surgical attention.

Please note that these statements are not guarantees of coverage, alternatives to medical consultation, nor intended to restrict availment. Please use your best judgment based on your current situation. When in doubt, please call Intellicare’s Hotline for guidance.

Warning signs of medical emergency:

·      Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath

·      Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure lasting two minutes or more

·      Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness

·      Changes in vision

·      Difficulty speaking

·      Confusion or changes in mental status, unusual behavior, difficulty waking

·      Convulsions or seizures 

·      Any sudden or severe pain

·      Uncontrolled bleeding

·      Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea

·      Coughing or vomiting blood

·      Suicidal or homicidal feelings

·      Unusual abdominal pain

·      Severe headache or vomiting after a head injury, unconsciousness, uncontrolled bleeding

Should you go to the ER if you have a fever?

Generally, a fever lower than 39.4 degrees C is not considered an emergency case. For these cases, please schedule an Outpatient Consultation at any of the Intellicare-accredited clinics near you.

A fever above 39.4 degrees C may be considered an emergency case if it is accompanied by other symptoms, such as:

·      Pain or tenderness in the abdomen

·      Nausea or vomiting

·      Severe headache

·      Stiff neck that resists movement

·      Light hurts eyes

·      Convulsions or seizures

·      Difficulty in breathing

·      Strange behavior, altered speech

·      Mental status changes, confusion, difficulty waking, extreme sleepiness

·      Rashes (particularly if it looks like small bleeding spots under the skin)

You should also seek emergency care if your child has a fever of 40 degrees C or higher and if the fever is accompanied by the following conditions:

·      Child is under three months of age and whose temperature is greater than 38 degrees C

·      Looks very sick, is unresponsive and uninterested in the surroundings, is sluggish and won't suck on breast or bottle

·      Cries constantly, continuously or without relief

·      Difficult to waken

·      Has a stiff neck

·      Has purple spots on the skin

·      Has difficulty breathing

·      Drooling excessively or having great difficulty swallowing food or liquid

·      Has a symptom of earache or sore throat

·      Has a limp or will not use an arm or leg

·      Has significant abdominal pain

·      Has painful urination or difficulty urinating

·      Has any amount of redness or swelling on his or her body

·      Has a seizure (fit or convulsion)

·      Becomes dehydrated

Does abdominal pain require emergency care?

Abdominal or belly pain has many causes which entails serious medical conditions.

For mild abdominal pain, please schedule a consultation at an accredited clinic near you. If the pain is sudden, severe or does not ease within 30 minutes, seek emergency medical care.

Sudden abdominal pain is often an indicator of serious intra-abdominal disease, such as a perforated ulcer or a ruptured abdominal aneurysm, although it could also result from a benign disease, such as gallstones.

Continuous, severe abdominal pain or abdominal pain accompanied by continuous vomiting may indicate a serious or life-threatening condition.