Carena's services are typically offered as a benefit through your employer or health plan. Ask your employer's benefits representative or health plan's customer service if Carena is available to you.

Most people eligible for our service access Carena by contacting their health plan's 24-hour nurse line. The nurse assesses their concern and offers a referral to Carena, if appropriate. Some of our patients contact us directly. Check with your employer or health plan for more information on how to reach Carena.

Once you've contacted your nurse line or called Carena, the process works like this:

1. If your symptoms or situation are appropriate for an in-home visit, you'll speak with a Carena Patient Care Coordinator (PCC). The PCC will then have a physician call you about your concern. The physician may determine that the ER is the best option for you, or may provide you with tips on caring for your concern at home. Most of the time, however, the physician will arrange a time for a house call with you.
2. Typically, a physician will arrive within two to four hours. If there are any schedule changes, the Patient Care Coordinator will contact you to discuss your options.
3. The Carena medical group physician will treat your illness or injury in your home. Physicians can treat minor burns and musculoskeletal injuries such as sprains and strains. Additionally, physicians can stitch minor lacerations; provide care and wellness education for back, neck, or headache pain; address common illnesses, such as viral infections; and perform certain laboratory tests, including blood draws.
4. In many instances, follow-up care is needed. If you do not have a primary care physician (PCP), a Patient Care Coordinator can help you choose one and can even call you within two business days to help you schedule your follow-up appointment. Carena provides a summary report of your visit to your new or existing PCP.

Physicians do not carry narcotics and can't refill prescriptions written by another doctor.

Your Primary Care Provider (PCP) is the best option for your routine and ongoing health needs. Use the emergency room or call 911 for situations that threaten life or limb. But for urgent concerns that occur when your PCP or an urgent care center is not an option, consider Carena.

Some examples of urgent concerns that can be handled in the home are:

• Back and muscle strains
• Minor cuts and scrapes
• Minor burns
• Strep throat or ear infections
• Skin infections
• Persistent or worsening coughs and respiratory infections
• Wrist and ankle sprains

Carena's house calls have been designed for urgent, but not life-threatening, health concerns when your primary care physician (PCP) or urgent care center is not available. For routine health needs, the best option for care is usually your PCP. Developing a good relationship with your PCP is one of the best ways to get and stay healthy. 

Carena house calls should not be used in a medical emergency. If you feel you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the emergency room. Some examples of emergencies are:

• Chest pain
• Loss of consciousness
• Severe shortness of breath
• A substantial cut or wound

Additionally, Carena is not an option for treating pregnancy-related issues or infants younger than 3 months of age who have fevers higher than 100.4°F. We also cannot treat minors unless the parent or legal guardian is present, and Carena medical group physicians cannot refill prescriptions written by other doctors. Carena medical group physicians do not carry narcotics.

Carena is offered as a benefit by certain employers and health plans in the Puget Sound area. Your cost will vary depending on your insurance. Many of our patients pay what they would for an office or urgent care visit.

Overall, the out-of-pocket expense for Carena patients is generally significantly less than that for an ER visit. For more information about your individual financial responsibility, please contact your health plan’s customer service department or your employee benefits representative.

Carena contracts with employers and health plans to make house calls available to their members. Some of our customers include Microsoft®, Everett School Employee Benefit Trust, and drugstore.com™. Check with your health plan’s customer service department or your employee benefits representative to see if Carena is an option for you.

Carena medical group physicians can treat a wide range of urgent concerns at home. They carry an updated version of the traditional "doctor bag," filled with state-of-the art, portable tools to treat your medical conditions. With these kits, physicians have all the equipment they need to suture minor cuts, deliver nebulizer treatments for asthma, and obtain lab samples in the home. They can also run in-home rapid tests for influenza, strep throat, and other medical issues.

If X-rays or other diagnostic tests are needed, the physician will coordinate scheduling of these tests with your primary care physician and share results with him or her when they are available.

While emergency rooms offer a wealth of technology for your medical needs, most non-emergent health concerns don't require the use of such equipment. That's one reason Carena is an effective and lower-cost alternative to the emergency room.

Our board-certified physicians specialize in family medicine and can treat patients of all ages. They are skilled at communication, education, and treating patients outside of traditional clinic settings. Physicians are employed by the Elliott Bay Medical Group under exclusive contract with Carena. You can learn more about our physicians by reviewing their bios.

In many instances, follow-up care for a health concern is necessary. If you don't have a primary care physician (PCP), the Carena medical group physician will help you choose one. Our Patient Care Coordinators can even help you schedule that important first appointment with your new PCP. Carena will provide a summary report of your visit to the new or existing PCP.