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Patient Services 24-Hour HELP Nurse 556-HELP A service provided to Medical Associates Clinic patients and Medical Associates Health Plan members and Health Choices participants. Click here for 24-Hour HELP nurse contact information Staffed by Registered Nurses and Clerical staff Services are available 24 hours/day 365 days /year Has over 375 years of nursing experience Locally based service – knowledgeable about services available in area. The Patient Services office is located at the East Campus Use Medical Associates Clinic physician approved protocols for advice not a purchased canned program. Over 1.5 million calls since 12/88 when it began its 24 hour coverage So what does this service offer? Round the clock access to medical care for our members. The Patient Services Nurse can provide advice on what to do for a sprained ankle to sore throat to chest pain using our physician-approved protocols. And as needed, the Patient Services Nurse can connect the patient directly to physician Continuity of care – Advice calls are documented in our automated call tracking system and then added to the patient’s medical record. The physician then knows what problem was experienced and the advice given. Appropriate use of your health care dollars (4 out of 5 Help calls are handled totally by a Registered Nurse - that translates to decreased visits to emergency rooms, and urgent care centers). With the average cost of our local emergency room visits being over $400 - $500 – this quickly impacts the cost of health care. After hours service – the Help Nurse is available when you need it. Our 1-800-325-7442 number is good 24 hours /day, 7 days a week and is good within the boundaries of the U.S. This means a great deal for students out of the service area, employees working out of the service, or members who are vacationing, and become ill. Added value service – Medical Associates Health Plan is unique in offering this type of local service -not many health plan offer this level of personalized service. Commitment and dedication to our patients and members. Over 15 years of service, this department has handled over 1.5 million calls.