Choose the Right Care at the Right Time

We offer many types of care to meet your needs. Determining which appointment type is right for you will depend on several factors, including whether you are a new or current patient, your medical concern and the severity of your condition. Here, we offer guidance to help you choose the type of care that is appropriate for your concerns.

Adult and child patients can see a primary care provider (PCP) for ongoing, routine needs and for most illnesses. If possible, it is best to see your primary care provider for all healthcare needs except in an emergency, including:

• Checkups and physicals
• Common illnesses, like a cold, flu or sore throat
• Health advice
• Emergency department follow-ups
• Hospital admission follow-ups
• Routine medical concerns
• Routine tests
• Medication refills or changes
• Nurse-only vaccination visits
• Referrals to specialists
• Flu shots and other vaccines
• Skin rashes or infections
• High (or low) blood pressure or blood sugar
• General orthopedic injuries, like sprains or arthritis
• Urgent needs such as allergies, animal bites, earaches, eye infections, genital/urinary problems, leg pain or swelling, mild fevers, minor burns or cuts, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

Patients who are younger than 18 can take advantage of same-day sick visits. Many of our primary care providers reserve time for same-day sick appointments. Nurses in your child's provider’s office can schedule same-day sick visits for nonemergency concerns such as colds, sore throat, ankle sprain and more. If necessary, imaging services are conveniently located.

A telehealth visit is a video call between you and your primary care provider using a device with audio and video – such as your smartphone or computer. Telehealth visits can be used for conditions from back pain to headache to rash and more. Learn more about telehealth appointments.

Existing patients can schedule an appointment via MyChart. All patients can schedule an appointment by calling 913-588-1227 or by completing our online form.

Current patients age 18 and older can use MyChart to request an e-visit for routine needs that are not an emergency. An e-visit involves completing an online form with information about your symptoms, questions or concerns. Once you submit your completed form, a primary care provider will review your case and respond as quickly as possible. E-visits can be used for symptoms such as:

• Back pain
• Birth control
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Heartburn
• Rash
• Red eye
• Sinus problems
• Urinary problems
• Vaginal discharge

E-visits cost a flat fee that must be pre-paid in full by credit card when the appointment is requested. If your provider determines that an e-visit is not appropriate for your need, your payment will be refunded and/or applied to your outstanding health system balance, if applicable.

To request an e-visit, sign into MyChart and choose E-Visit from the main menu. Read the terms carefully, choose Accept if you wish to proceed and then follow the prompts to request an e-visit. Your care team will reply with instructions as quickly as possible, often the same day but no later than by noon the next business day.

Whether you get hurt in everyday life or while playing sports, we have walk-in care for orthopedic injuries. We offer walk-in care in Overland Park for acute orthopedic injuries, including sports-related injuries, such as fractures, strains and sprains. Walk-in hours are weekdays 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Patients 5 years and older can be seen for:

• Bone fractures
• Dislocations
• Joint injuries
• Sprains
• Strains

Patients at the orthopedic same-day clinic are seen without an appointment by an advanced practice provider, and follow-up appointments are scheduled as needed with orthopedic and/or sports medicine physicians and surgeons.

Patients who have suffered open fractures, serious lacerations or finger amputations should go straight to the emergency room.

Learn more about orthopedic walk-in care.

When you need medical care quickly, but it’s not an emergency and your primary care provider isn’t available, an urgent care visit can meet your needs. Use urgent care for concerns like asthma, allergies, coughs, fevers, rashes, sore throats, headaches or vomiting.

You can see a provider without an appointment at several urgent care locations in the Kansas City area. Learn more about urgent care hours, locations and wait times and let us know you’re on your way.

You can also request an urgent care video visit (telehealth) via MyChart. On the desktop, hover over Visits and choose Urgent Care Video Visit. On the mobile app, tap Urgent Care Video Visit. Note, some urgent care needs – like breathing difficulty, head injuries and broken bones – can only be addressed in person. We cannot prescribe or refill medications, write notes for employers or for workers' compensation, treat broken bones or perform testing through urgent care video visits.

Need more help finding urgent care? Call 913-574-2273 (CARE).

Go to the emergency room for life- or limb-threatening conditions, including:

• Serious head injury
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe pain
• Loss of consciousness
• Throwing up or coughing up blood
• Bleeding that won't stop
• Severe allergic reactions that include face swelling or itching throat
• Seizures
• Chest pain
• Fevers in babies 3 months old or younger
• Pregnancy issues
• Any symptoms that make it impossible to walk, breathe or perform other basic functions

If you cannot get to the emergency room quickly and safely, call 911.

Our Kansas City emergency room – the region’s most experienced Level 1 Trauma Center – is located at:

4000 Cambridge St.
Kansas City, KS 66160

We also offer emergency care at our locations in Great Bend and Topeka, Kansas. Should you require hospitalization, you and your local care teams will have immediate access to the No.1 hospital in Kansas and in Kansas City as recognized by U.S. News & World Report.

Note: No person is denied urgent/emergent care based on their ability to pay at the time of service. The University of Kansas Health System does not discriminate based on ability to pay.

Existing patients can schedule an appointment via MyChart. All patients can schedule an appointment by completing our online form, by calling 913-588-1227 or by contacting your care team directly.

For additional questions about appointments, such as questions about second opinion services, the types of appointments we offer or how to use telehealth, click here.

We are committed to offering you and your family multiple options to meet your healthcare needs. Remember, your primary care team remains your ongoing partner. Please notify your health system primary care team if you receive care elsewhere to ensure your medical home can offer informed, high-quality care.

Need help with MyChart? Call 913-588-4040 or email MyChart@KUMC.edu.