Emergencies are stressful enough. You should not have to wonder who to call, what to say, or what the bill will look like later. As a SALTA Direct Primary Care member, you get a simple plan for moments when you are sick or hurt, including clear steps for ER visits, hospital stays, and specialist referrals. No copays, no surprise bills from us, and a care team that knows you and acts fast.
ER, Urgent Care, or Your SALTA Doctor: A Quick Decision Checklist
Use this simple guide so you get the right care at the right place and cost.
Call 911 or go to the ER immediately for life threatening symptoms:
Chest pain, severe trouble breathing, stroke signs, heavy bleeding, serious head injury, fractures, or confusion that is new and severe.
Choose urgent care for problems that need same day attention but are not life threatening:
Cuts that may need stitches, mild to moderate asthma flare, sprains, painful ear[LH2] or sinus infection, urinary tract infection, pink eye, or a bad rash without swelling of the lips or tongue.
Message or call SALTA first for most other needs:
Fever, cough, sore throat, nausea, medication questions, mild back pain, chronic condition flare ups, mental health concerns, and follow up care. You have 24/7 access by text, call, or video, and same day or next day in person visits when clinically appropriate.
Tip: If you are unsure where to go, contact your SALTA team. We will triage you in real time and direct you to the safest and most cost-effective option.
What Is Considered Urgent but Not an Emergency?
SALTA Direct Primary Care is your frontline for your health and explicitly excels in providing urgent matters. Urgent means it should be evaluated soon, usually the same day, but it is not immediately life threatening. Common examples include[LH3] :
- Deep cuts that may need sutures, but bleeding is controlled
- Sprains, suspected minor fractures, or a painful swollen joint
- Fever without shortness of breath in an otherwise healthy individual
- Severe sore throat, ear pain, or sinus pressure
- Urinary burning or frequency
- Pink eye, minor eye irritation, or a lodged contact lens
- Mild dehydration, vomiting, or diarrhea without fainting or blood
- Worsening asthma symptoms that improve with your inhaler
When these happen, contact SALTA first. Many urgent issues can be handled by video, by phone, or in the office the same day, which saves you time and money.
What Happens If You Go to the ER or the Hospital?
If you are directed to go to the ER or are admitted to the hospital:
During the visit:
The ER or hospital will treat you. Your SALTA membership does not cover hospitalizations or ER charges. If you have insurance, the hospital can bill it. If you are self-pay, ask about cash prices and itemized bills before discharge when possible.
While you are there:
Please reach out to SALTA by phone or message so we can help coordinate your care. We can communicate with the ER team, provide your most up-to-date medication list, and advocate on your behalf. Locally, we also assist with coordinating inpatient care and arranging specialist consultations, including at Corewell Hospitals.
After Discharge:
Your SALTA clinician will contact you the same or next business day to review your diagnosis, medications, warning signs to watch for, and next steps in your care. We will promptly schedule a follow-up visit—often the same day—to support your recovery and keep your care on track.
There are no copays for any SALTA visit, including follow-up appointments. Your membership includes the communication, care coordination, and ongoing support you need after an emergency room visit or hospital stay.
What Bills Should You Expect?
From SALTA:
No copays, no deductibles, and no surprise bills for covered primary care services. Your monthly membership includes SALTA messaging, phone, video, and in-office visits, many in-office procedures, and comprehensive care coordination.
From the ER or Hospital:
Facility fees, imaging, laboratory services, and specialist charges are billed separately and may be submitted to your insurance or billed directly to you if you are self-pay. If you have insurance, use it to cover these external services. If you do not, request upfront cost estimates, ask for itemized bills, and inquire about cash-pay discounts.
Medications and external labs:
When filled or drawn outside SALTA, those costs are separate. We offer direct medication dispensing at reduced cash prices in select locations and can help you compare options.
Cost scenario examples:
Urgent SALTA Visit for an Ear Infection:
Care is provided through a SALTA video visit at no additional cost beyond your membership. Medication costs vary, but will be lower with direct dispensing.
· Urgent Care Visit for Ear Infection: Evaluation of the ear send to insurance. Medications sent to local pharmacy to pick up and charged to insurance. On average with insurance costs $30-75 out of pocket. For no insurance the average costs would be $100-$200 out of pocket and no
· ER Visit for an Ear Infection:
The evaluation is billed to your insurance. Medications are provided through the ER or sent to a local pharmacy and billed separately. On average, costs range from $250–$600 with insurance and $800–$1,500 if paying out of pocket.
What Happens After an ER Visit with Direct Primary Care?
You are never left to manage things on your own. With SALTA DPC, our team supports you every step of the way:
- We reach out proactively to review what happened during your ER visit.
- We carefully review and reconcile medications to prevent duplication or unsafe interactions.
- We develop a clear, straightforward recovery plan and schedule timely follow-up care.
- We coordinate any necessary testing or specialist referrals and share your records—so you don’t have to repeat your story at every visit.
What If You Need a Referral?
Referrals with SALTA are quick and easy. Here’s what to expect:
- Reach out to us by phone or message with your concern.
- We’ll determine whether a referral is needed and, if so, connect you with the appropriate specialist. When possible, we recommend trusted local partners and can mark referrals as time-sensitive when needed.
- We send relevant notes, imaging, and lab results in advance so your specialist visit is efficient and productive from day one.
- After your consultation, we follow up with you to review the plan and continue managing your primary care.
There is no referral fee charged by SALTA. Specialist visits are billed separately by the specialist’s office, typically through your insurance if you have coverage.
Does Insurance Cover Direct Primary Care? Is It Worth It?
Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a membership model that operates outside of traditional insurance billing, and most insurance plans do not cover the monthly membership fee. Many members pair DPC with a high-deductible or catastrophic health plan to cover hospital, emergency, and specialty services. In some cases, employers may sponsor or subsidize DPC memberships.
For individuals and families, DPC is often worth the investment because it provides:
- Unlimited access to your primary care team with no copays
- Same-day or next-day appointments and 24/7 communication
- Clear, transparent pricing with fewer unexpected costs
- Proactive, relationship-based care that helps prevent unnecessary ER visits and hospitalizations
Members consistently share that the greatest value comes from access and trusted relationships. As one member noted, “The attentiveness, thoroughness, and follow-up at SALTA are unlike anything I’ve experienced. I can reach my clinician when I need to, and I truly feel cared for.”
A Real-World Example
On a Sunday evening, your son falls off his bike and you’re concerned he may have broken his arm. You message your SALTA physician and securely send photos right away. Your clinician reviews the information, recommends going directly to the ER for an X-ray, and remains involved every step of the way sharing records, coordinating care, and following up to support your child’s recovery.
While your insurance is billed for the ER visit and X-ray, your initial consultation, care coordination, and follow-up with your SALTA physician are all included in your monthly membership. You also gain immediate access to your doctor and a clear plan of action, avoiding an unnecessary urgent care visit or long ER wait times just to determine next steps.
SALTA Care in Southeast Michigan
For families and employers in Auburn Hills, Clarkston, Shelby Township, and nearby, SALTA makes primary care fast, convenient, and predictable. Enjoy 24/7 access, same-day visits when clinically appropriate, and a dedicated care team that handles the details—so your family or employees get better, faster. Join today and experience care designed around your life, not the other way around.
Bottom Line
- For emergencies, call 911 or go to the ER; for most other issues, contact SALTA first.
- No copays and no surprise bills for covered primary care services.
- We coordinate ER and hospital care and follow up the same or next day.
- Referrals are fast, coordinated, and tailored to your needs.
- Pair SALTA with insurance for major care and enjoy predictable, relationship-based primary care every day.
Ready for clear, hassle-free care? Join SALTA Direct Primary Care and experience accessible, affordable, and personalized primary care.
