Sault Tribe Health and Human Services Division

After Hours Walk-in or Urgent Care Services

Dear Sault Tribe Members,

It is important to your Sault Tribal board of Directors and to your Healthcare team that you have access to medical care and advice even when our Health Centers are closed.  Because of this, the Health Program has established contracts with local walk-in or urgent care clinics across the Eastern Upper Peninsula to provide after hours and weekend/holiday access to urgent care services.  Additionally, we have implemented an after-hours telephone nursing service for patients to use when our clinics are closed.  Patients are now able to talk directly to a registered nurse to receive advice and direction on the care they need when our clinics are closed.  We are sending this letter to all Tribal households in our service area (Chippewa, Mackinac, Luce, Alger, Schoolcraft, Delta, and Marquette counties) to explain how to access or obtain these new health services.  Please call your local Tribal Health Center if you have any questions.

We wish you all Health for a Lifetime!           

Joel Lumsden, Assistant Health Division Director

Sault Tribal Health Program

How do I get after hours Telephone Advice?

To obtain care when our clinics are closed, you must call the clinic where your primary care provider is located.  You will be given options to fill medications or to talk to the after-hours telephone triage nurse.  The nurse will provide you medical advice.  You may receive a variety of recommendations from how to manage your concern from home or whether you should seek care from a local walk-in, urgent care service or emergency department.  To access the after-hours triage nurse please call one of the following Health Center telephone numbers:

Sault Tribal Health Center 906-632-5200

St. Ignace Health Center 906-643-8689

Manistique Health Center 906-341-8469

Munising Health Center 906-387-4721 

What is After Hours Walk-in Medical Care?

If you are told to seek care at a local facility after-hours, walk-in or urgent care clinics will provide basic medical services including evaluation and treatment of cold and flu symptoms, minor ailments or illnesses, and treatment for less severe physical injuries.  Routine medical care must be obtained through your primary care provider during regular Tribal Clinic hours. 

Common Conditions typically treated in Walk-in Clinic include:

•        Fever, chills, cough or congestion

•        Sore throats,  earaches and other minor ailments

•        Insect or other minor animal bites

•        Minor burns, abrasions, simple rashes or skin infections

•        Minor cuts requiring stitches, sprains or strains

•        Other minor acute condition needing medical attention as determined by the after-hour telephone triage nurse

Locations where Tribal Members can get After Hour Walk-in or Urgent Care

How are Payment made for Walk-in, Urgent Care & Emergency Services?

Payment for after-hours services is covered through Purchased Referred Care (PRC) ONLY IF:

1.      Tribal Member is enrolled in PRC – To verify call 906-632-5220 or 800-922-0582.

2.      Tribal Members call the after-hours telephone triage nurse and are referred to a Walk-in, Urgent Care Clinic, or Emergency Room.

All walk-in, urgent care services must be authorized by the after-hours telephone triage nurse before services are rendered.  To talk to the after-hours telephone triage nurse please call the Tribal clinic where your primary care provider is located or where you usually receive care and select the option for the after-hours triage nurse.

In a medical emergency in which you are unable to call the after-hours triage nurse, you or your family member must call the PRC program within 72 hours of the emergency to receive PRC assistance.