FAIR Health Consumer Access

Heat-Related Illness and Where to Go for Care

The summer heat often feels good, especially at a picnic or the beach. But if it gets too hot, it can make you sick. Knowing where to go for care for heat-related illnesses—and how your insurance will handle the costs—can make your summer better and safer.

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are two of the main heat-related illnesses. Of the two, heat stroke is more serious.

Heat exhaustion happens when a person has lost too much water and salt. This usually occurs through sweating too much in an effort to cool down. Symptoms may include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, thirst and heavy sweating. Body temperature may go up and urination may decrease.

Heat stroke is worse. It happens when the body can’t control its temperature anymore. Body temperature rises quickly—to 106°F or higher. There may be heavy sweating, or the skin may be hot and dry. The person may be confused, or their mental status may change. Their speech may be slurred. They may lose consciousness or have seizures. If not treated, heat stroke can kill.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers guidance for first aid for these and other heat-related illnesses. The CDC also says both heat exhaustion and heat stroke call for medical care.

Know Where to Go
Are you having mild heat-related symptoms? Then you can consider going to your primary care provider (PCP), if you can get an appointment promptly. Compared to an urgent care center or emergency room (ER), your PCP usually costs the least. Your PCP knows your health history and typically has the lowest copay.

If you need faster care and your symptoms are mild to moderate, an urgent care center may help. It has extended hours, usually for a lower copay than an ER.

If your symptoms are severe or life-threatening, go to an ER. It usually costs the most, but it’s equipped to treat the most serious symptoms in the shortest time. Find out more about the differences between ERs and urgent care in our article Emergency Care and Urgent Care.

Telehealth
Your plan may have telehealth options that connect you to a clinician by video or phone. This can help guide you if you’re not sure where to go for care of heat-related symptoms. It may also give you advice for at-home care of mild symptoms. Telehealth may cost less than an in-office visit, but check your plan to find out your share of the cost.