Need medical care fast? You have options beyond 911.

When you need medical care fast for non-life-threatening conditions, you have options that can save you time and money, all while getting the right care for you.

From the comfort of your home with nurse advice lines to local urgent care centers, Alameda County has many quality, and affordable options for you and your family.

 
Emergency Room visits for non-emergencies can result in bills of $500 to $2,000 or more, and ambulance services can cost $4,000 or more. Like Emergency Rooms, most urgent care centers offer:

• Medication refills
• X-rays
• Bloodwork
• Liquid IV fluids

Next time you need medical care but your life is not at risk, consider urgent care.

Find an Urgent Care near you.

Is it an emergency, or an urgency? Know the difference.

Examples of non-life threatening needs that can be treated using 911 alternatives:

• Minor injuries
• Infections
• Sprains
• Headaches
• Fever
• Extended cold or flu symptoms
• Small cuts or scrapes

Call 988 for Urgent Mental Health Support

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline helps individuals experiencing mental health crises 24/7. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or thinking about self-harm, call or text 988 for immediate support.

Reasons to call:

• You or someone close to you would benefit from speaking with a trained counselor.
• You or someone close to you is experiencing mental health related distress, such as thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress.
• You or someone close to you needs immediate counseling for a situation that can be deescalated with a trained counselor.

Care from your Couch with Nurse Advice Lines and Telehealth
Talking to a care provider on the phone may be the right option for you. Nurse advice lines and telehealth services can help you manage your current conditions and navigate new health concerns or illnesses – you can do this through a phone or tablet.
These services will help you get the care you need for less money and save emergency services for people with life-threatening situations.

Nurse Advice Lines:

Alameda Alliance for Health – Alliance Nurse Line

• Phone:
  Alliance Group Care: 1.855.383.7873
  Alliance Medi-Cal: 1.888.433.1876

• Hours: 24/7
• Languages: English and Spanish; interpreter services available (Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Farsi)

Kaiser Permanente (Northern California) – Appointments & Advice Center

• Phone: 1.833.574.2273 (1-833-KP4CARE)
• Hours: 24/7
• Languages: Multilingual interpreter services available; 24/7 nurse advice

Sutter Health / Sutter Health Plus – Nurse Advice Line

• Phone: 1.855.836.3500
• Hours: 24/7
• Languages: 24/7 registered nurse access for members; interpreter services via plan.

Many providers offer low rates for Medi-Cal recipients. Check with your primary care provider if they offer virtual telehealth or nurse advice line services.

When to call 911:

• When there is a life-threatening medical emergency, such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, and severe injuries.
• There is danger to life, to property, or to the environment.
• Emergency responders such as the fire department or emergency medical services are needed.
• A crime is in progress or has just occurred.

Not an Emergency or a Mental Health Crisis?