Need care right away, but it’s not an emergency? Consider an urgent care center (UCC). UCC’s typically have shorter wait times, and you don’t need an appointment.
Before going to a UCC, you should contact your primary care provider (PCP) to ask what your best option is for getting care. To find UCCs in our provider network, use our Find a Doctor, Hospital or Pharmacy tool.
For your convenience
We have partnered with CareWell, an UCC. You can go to CareWell and most UCCs for non-life-threatening injuries instead of going to emergency department (ED). CareWell is an alternative to a primary care visit, especially if you need care after your primary care provider's office hours.
If you’re coping with complex health issues, you may be eligible for support in your community. The Community Partners (CP) program helps eligible members with medical needs and behavioral health (BH) or substance use disorders feel their best.
Streamlined care
CPs work with eligible members to:
- Coordinate services
- Enhance continuity and quality of care
- Address the social factors that affect their health
- Improve health outcomes
- Help members live independently
- Access community supports
What to expect
Members can be referred by their PCPs, other community providers, Tufts Health Plan, or members also refer themselves. If you are referred, a CP will contact you. You can then choose whether to enroll in the program.
CPs are in your community
CPs are health care and human service organizations based in the community. Behavioral health CPs provide support to adults (ages 18-64) with complex behavioral health needs. CPs also offer long-term services and supports (LTSS) (for members ages 3 to 64 with disabilities) that includes community and home-based services.
For more information, call MassHealth at 800-841-2900 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To refer yourself to a CP, call Member Services at 888-257-1985 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Antidepressant medications are used to help treat depression and other mood disorders. For antidepressant medications to work properly, it is important to follow your prescriber’s instructions, work with your prescriber to find the right medicine and dose that works for you and take the medication until advised by your prescriber to stop. If you have been prescribed an antidepressant, follow these important guidelines to get better results:
- Take your antidepressant medication as prescribed (the amount, frequency and duration)
- Try not to skip a dose. If you do miss a dose, take the next pill as scheduled. Try not to “make-up” missed doses. Check with your prescriber or pharmacist to understand what to do if you regularly miss doses of your medication.
- Do not stop taking antidepressants without checking with your provider first
- Keep in mind that it may take up to four to six weeks for antidepressants to provide a noticeable difference
- Track any side effects that you get from this medication. If you get side effects that cause you problems, talk with your prescriber who will work with you on an alternative plan.
- Talk to your prescriber about when and how to stop taking antidepressants when you feel ready. You may get withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking them abruptly.
- Continue to take your medication even if you are feeling better. Stopping too soon may cause a relapse in your progress.
- Contact your provider if you have any questions or concerns about your medication, including whether it is working.
- Be sure to make and keep all follow-up appointments
- Talk to your prescriber about changing the dose, switching medication or adding a medication that may be a better choice for you if you think your medication is not working
For more information about depression, see our Online Health Guide.
For more information regarding resources for depression or questions about coverage, you can call us at 888-257-1985 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Early and regular health and behavioral health screenings are necessary to stay healthy at any age. They are especially important for children, who are growing rapidly, and expected to achieve milestones and learn coping strategies.
Help your child stay healthy
When problems are caught early, they are often easier to treat. That’s why health screenings are part of routine preventive care. These include many types of screenings, such as developmental, vision, hearing, dental, behavioral health and others. These screenings can jump start early treatment if necessary. Providers have a schedule they follow and know when each type of screening should be done.
What to expect during a behavioral health screening
When you bring your child or adolescent for a behavioral health screening, you will be asked to fill out a survey about your child’s:
- Sleep
- Energy
- Appetite
- School performance
- Ability to make friends
- Mood
- Behavior
Adolescents may be asked to complete a similar survey about themselves.
Providers will use a survey that is appropriate for your child’s age. The survey will come from a list of MassHealth-approved, standardized behavioral health screening tools. These tools can be helpful in highlighting areas you may be concerned about, including problems with mood and behavior. They can make it easier to talk to your provider about your concerns and what you can do.
Providers may discuss developmental expectations, give reassurance and offer parenting tips that may help address your concerns.
During time with your adolescent, your provider may discuss:
- Avoiding the use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco and other substances that can lead to abuse
- Violence
- Bullying
- Depression
If there is a need for further assessment, your child’s provider can offer the necessary behavioral health services or help refer you to another behavioral health specialist in your network.
If your provider does not offer behavioral health screenings, don’t hesitate to ask about them. Your provider is eager to help and find ways to keep your child on track and healthy for life.
For more information about behavioral health, see our Behavioral Health web page.
Talk with your pediatrician about when to transition your care from a pediatrician to a PCP for adults (such as an internal medicine or family medicine provider). You may need to choose a PCP for adults for the following reasons:
- You are pregnant and want to have an adult PCP or obstetrician/gynecologist provide your care
- Your pediatrician suggests you transition to a PCP for adults
We're here to help you make that transition. To change your pediatrician to an adult PCP, use our online Find a Doctor, Hospital or Pharmacy tool. Once you've selected a new PCP, you can log in to Your Member Portal to make the change in our system. Or you can call member services at 888-257-1985 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for help finding a new PCP and/or changing your PCP.
There are no voluntary drug recalls.