Nurse First

When should I call Nurse First?

Before you travel to your Primary Care Provider or the emergency room, call Nurse First to help you decide the best option or if you can treat the problem at home. Nurses at Nurse First may be able to help you save time and money by guiding you to the right care at the right place and at the right time.

Nurses can help you with problems like:

• Fever, earache, headache, flu, cold, cough, sore throat, vomiting, upset stomach, skin rash, back pain, a crying baby
• If you have just found out you have diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol or any other health issue, the Nurse First Advice Line may be able to give you some information and help answer questions you have.
• Nurse First will help you with any health question/concern, such as:

“I went to the doctor. Now I have a follow-up question.”
“I’m pregnant and am having stomach pains. What should I do?”
“My son has a fever. Do I need to take him to the ER?”

When should I NOT call Nurse First?

• You have a life threatening health concern
• It’s time for your child’s next Well Child checkup or immunization
• You saw your PCP for a specific health problem and a follow-up appointment is needed
• You saw your PCP for a specific health problem and he referred you to a specialist
• You, or your child, need regular services such as transfusion or dialysis

When you are not sure what to do, call Nurse First.
Nurse First can help you decide.
Talk to a nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year!
(800) 330-7847

What is Nurse First?

A 24/7/365 confidential nurse advice and triage line.

Nurse First RNs consult with members by triaging their symptoms as presented following nationally recognized Barton Schmitt/David Thompson Guidelines.

This results in dispositions that range from home health care, to referring members to their Passport Provider, to directing members to the emergency room.

*Note, nurses do not diagnose nor provide treatment

How does Nurse First benefit Passport Providers?

• Decreases evening and weekend on-call traffic
• Reduces no show rates
• Allows you to focus on your higher acuity members
• Safely reduces avoidable visits and admissions
• Peace of mind knowing that your members are receiving exceptional care 24/7/365
• Instant reporting on engagements with your members

When and why should your members call Nurse First?

• For a fever, earache, headache, flu, cold, cough, sore throat, vomiting, upset stomach, skin rash, back pain, or a crying baby.
• If they recently diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol or any other health issue. The Nurse First Advice Line may be able to help answer questions and provide information using Montana Health and Wellness documents.
• Nurse First will help with health questions and concerns such as:

"I went to the doctor. Now I have a follow-up question."
"I'm pregnant and am having stomach pains. What should I do?"
"My son has a fever. Do I need to take him to the ER?"

When should your members NOT call Nurse First

• For a life threatening health concern
• For their child’s next Well Child checkup or immunization
• For a specific health problem and a follow-up appointment with you is needed
• When you referred them to a specialist for a specific health problem
• If they need regular services such as transfusion or dialysis

Recommend your Medicaid members call Nurse First at (800) 330-7847

Empower your members to become more active in their healthcare.