Member Handbook for Parkland KIDSfirst and Parkland CHIP ...

care is known as routine medical care. Your PCP will give your child prescriptions for
medicines and medical supplies and send him or her to a specialist if needed. A specialist may be
a PCP for special circumstances. It is important that you follow your child’s PCP’s advice and
take part in decisions about your child’s healthcare. If you are unable to take part in decisions
about your child’s healthcare, you may choose someone to do it for you.
If your child has been getting healthcare services at a health clinic and you would like to keep
taking them there, please be sure the clinic is on the Parkland KIDSfirst or Parkland CHIP
Perinate Newborn program. Call us toll-free to get more information at 1-888-814-2352.
How soon can I/ my child expect to be seen?
Your PCP should be able to see you within two (2) weeks after you ask for the routine care
appointment. If you are seeing the doctor for a physical or wellness check up, you should be seen
within 8 to 10 weeks after you ask for the appointment.
When your child needs care, call your child’s PCP’s number on the front of the ID card. Someone
in the doctor’s office or clinic will make an appointment for your child. It is very important that
you keep your child’s appointments. Call early to make appointments. If you cannot keep
your child’s appointment, call back to let the PCP know.
What if I/My Child Needs Urgent Care?
What is urgent medical care?
Urgent care is when your child has an urgent medical problem that is not an
emergency.
You must first call your child’s PCP at the number shown on the front of your
child’s ID card. If you would like to speak to a nurse, you can call the Parkland
24-Hour Nurse Line at 1-800-357-3162 or locally in the Dallas area at 214-266-
8766. When you call, the nurse can help you decide what to do. Many illnesses
do not need to be treated in the Emergency Room (ER).
These are examples of the need for urgent care, but are not good reasons to go to the ER.
• A cold, cough, rash, small cuts, minor burns or bruises.
How soon can I/ my child expect to be seen?
If your child needs urgent care, your child should be seen by the PCP within 24 hours after you
ask for care
What if I/My Child Has an Emergency?
What is emergency medical care? How soon can I/ my child expect to be seen?
Your child may have an EMERGENCY medical need if you think your child’s condition is lifethreatening;
if your child has serious pain; or if serious harm could come to your child without
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