Why Choose a Health Plan The Includes Memorial Healthcare System

Open enrollment is an important time to look beyond the monthly premium when choosing a health insurance plan. Whether you’re selecting coverage for yourself and your family, or choosing benefits for your employees, it’s also important to consider where you can receive care when you need it conveniently located throughout South Florida.

For individuals and small to medium size businesses in South Florida, choosing a health insurance plan that includes Memorial Healthcare System in its network can give you access to a wide range of primary care providers, specialists, hospitals, and specialty services all within one health care system. From primary care and urgent care to cancer treatment, heart care, neuroscience, rehabilitation, and specialized care for children, Memorial offers care for many of life’s health care needs.

What are the benefits of choosing a health plan that includes Memorial?

One of the biggest advantages is having access to a patient- and family-centered health care system that can care for you at different stages of your life and for a wide range of medical needs.

1. Start with primary care close to home.

Primary care is an important part of staying healthy. Regular visits can help you prevent illness, manage ongoing health conditions, and identify potential problems early.

Memorial Primary Care has 15 primary care locations throughout South Broward County, making it easier to find a primary care provider who fits your needs and location. Having a primary care provider within the same health care system as your specialists can also make it easier to coordinate your care when you need additional services.

2. Get care for illnesses and injuries at urgent care.

Not every health concern requires a trip to the emergency room. For many minor illnesses and injuries, urgent care can be a convenient option. Memorial offers three Urgent Care Centers where patients can receive care for conditions that need attention but are not life-threatening emergencies.

And when a health concern requires a higher level of care, being connected to a larger health care system can help make the next step easier.

3. Access specialized care when you need it.

Sometimes a health concern requires more than a primary care visit. You may need to see a specialist, undergo a procedure, or receive treatment for a serious or complex condition.

Memorial offers access to more than 400 adult and pediatric specialists, many of whom are board-certified and fellowship trained. Specialists across many areas of medicine include experts in:

• Cancer care
• Children's health
• Heart and vascular care
• Maternity care
• Men's health
• Neurology and neurosurgery
• Orthopedics
• Rehabilitation
• Rehabilitation
• Surgery
• Women's health
• And many other specialties

Choosing a health plan that includes Memorial can help give you access to this broad network of expertise when you need specialty care.

What if I or a family member develops cancer?

Cancer can change your life in an instant. When you or someone you love receives a cancer diagnosis, having access to comprehensive cancer care can make a difference.

Memorial Cancer Institute provides cancer care for adults and children, including access to specialists who focus on different types of cancer. Having cancer services available within your health care network can make it easier to receive the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care you need.

What if I need heart or vascular care?

Heart disease and vascular conditions can require everything from preventive care to advanced treatment.

Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute brings together specialists and services for people with heart and vascular conditions. From evaluating symptoms and managing heart disease to treating more complex cardiovascular conditions, having access to specialized heart care can provide an important layer of support for you and your family.

What if I need care for a brain, spine or nervous system condition?

Conditions affecting the brain, spine and nervous system can be complex and may require specialized expertise.

Memorial Neuroscience Institute provides care for a wide range of neurological and neurosurgical conditions. Access to specialized neuroscience care can be especially important when a condition requires advanced diagnosis, surgery, rehabilitation or ongoing treatment.

What if I need rehabilitation after an injury, illness or surgery?

Getting better doesn't always end when you leave the hospital. Some patients need rehabilitation after a stroke, brain injury, trauma, cancer treatment, joint replacement or other major medical event.

Memorial Rehabilitation Institute provides specialized inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services to help patients work toward greater independence and quality of life. Having rehabilitation services available within the same health care system can help support your recovery throughout your care journey.

What if I need specialized care for my child?

Children aren't simply small adults. They have unique medical needs that often require pediatric specialists and specially designed facilities.

Memorial's Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital provides specialized medical and surgical care for children and teens, with access to pediatric specialists and services designed specifically for young patients and their families. For parents, knowing that specialized pediatric care is part of your health care network can provide valuable peace of mind.

What if my baby needs intensive care?

Some babies need a higher level of care immediately after birth. That's why we offer a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for newborns who need advanced, specialized care. Level IV NICUs provide the highest level of neonatal care for critically ill or medically complex newborns. For families facing an unexpected complication during pregnancy, delivery or after birth, access to advanced neonatal care can be especially important.

What if I have a medical emergency?

You can't plan for an emergency. When a serious injury or life-threatening condition happens, having access to a hospital equipped to provide the highest levels of emergency and trauma care matters. Memorial offers:

• Five ERs in Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Miramar.
• Two freestanding ERs in Miramar and Pembroke Pines.
• Three dedicated pediatric ERs in Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and Miramar.

Memorial Regional Hospital is home to a Level I Trauma Center in Hollywood, providing comprehensive care for patients with serious and potentially life-threatening injuries. A Level I Trauma Center has the resources and specialists needed to treat some of the most complex traumatic injuries, around the clock.

What should I look for during open enrollment?

Before choosing a health plan, don't look only at the premium.

• Consider the total cost of care and whether the plan gives you access to the providers and facilities you want.
• If you prefer to receive care at Memorial, check the plan's provider directory and network information to make sure the Memorial doctors, hospitals, and services you want are included.
• You should also review deductibles, copays, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximums, prescription coverage, and other plan details.
• For employers, offering health plan options that provide access to a broad network of high-quality health care services can be an important part of supporting the health and well-being of your employees and their families.

Your health care needs can change over your lifetime.

If you’re one of those lucky individuals, you may have only needed annual physicals from a pediatrician when you were a child or a primary care provider as an adult. But as you get older, your body changes and so can your health care needs. You could need a specialist, surgery, rehabilitation or care for a serious illness. Choosing health coverage that includes Memorial can give you access to a broad range of care—from your first primary care visit to advanced specialty treatment—all within one health care system.

As you compare your health insurance options during open enrollment, look beyond the plan's price. Look at where that plan can take you when you need care. Insurance plans and provider networks change. Before enrolling, confirm that the Memorial provider, hospital, or service you plan to use participates in your specific health plan and review the plan's current network and benefits.