Emergency & Acute Care Resources

At Cognia Health, we provide scheduled outpatient psychiatric care tailored to your individual needs. While we don't offer on-call or emergency services, we deeply care about your safety and want to ensure you have immediate access to the right level of care when you need it most. This page serves as your comprehensive guide to emergency and intensive psychiatric services throughout the Puget Sound region.

Please note: Viewing or using this page does not create a provider-patient relationship with Cognia Health.

1. Immediate Crisis Help

Your safety is paramount. If you or someone you care about may act on thoughts of harm:

  • Call 911 for immediate police, fire, or medical assistance

  • Call 988 to reach the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (available 24/7)

  • Text HELLO to 741741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line

  • Go to the nearest emergency department if you can travel safely

Duty to Warn Notice: When Cognia Health becomes aware of imminent risk to you or others, we may share limited information with emergency responders as permitted by Washington law (RCW 71.05.120) to protect life.

Your Rights: Under federal law (EMTALA), all hospital emergency departments must provide screening and stabilizing treatment regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. You cannot be turned away when experiencing a psychiatric emergency.

2. Hospital Emergency Departments & Inpatient Psychiatry

These facilities accept walk-in psychiatric emergencies and can admit for 24-hour inpatient care when indicated:

Seattle

  • Swedish First Hill Medical Center
    747 Broadway, Seattle WA 98122
    (206) 386-6000

Eastside

  • Overlake Medical Center
    1035 116th Ave NE, Bellevue WA 98004
    (425) 688-5175

  • Fairfax Hospital
    10200 NE 132nd St, Kirkland WA 98034
    (425) 821-2000

North Sound

  • Smokey Point Behavioral Hospital
    3955 195th Pl NE, Arlington WA 98223
    (360) 651-6400

3. Medication-Related Emergencies

If you experience severe adverse reactions to psychiatric medications, call 911 immediately. Inform emergency responders of all medications you're taking and bring all medication bottles to the emergency room if possible.

Seek immediate care for:

  • Severe allergic reactions (difficulty breathing, swelling, widespread rash)

  • Serotonin syndrome (confusion, rapid heart rate, high fever, muscle rigidity)

  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (extreme muscle stiffness, high fever, altered consciousness)

  • Severe withdrawal symptoms

  • Suspected overdose

4. Telehealth Emergency Protocols

If you experience an emergency during a virtual appointment with Cognia Health:

  • Your provider will remain on video while helping you access emergency services

  • We'll contact 911 on your behalf if you're unable to do so

  • We'll provide emergency responders with relevant clinical information as permitted by law

  • Your location (recorded at session start) will be shared with emergency services

5. Partial Hospitalization (PHP) & Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)

When you need more support than weekly therapy but don't require hospitalization, these programs offer structured, intensive treatment:

Mood, Anxiety, and Trauma Programs

Youth & Young Adult Programs

Eating Disorder Specialty Programs

Telehealth Coverage Note: Washington law (RCW 48.43.735) requires most insurers to cover clinically appropriate telepsychiatry at the same rate as in-person care. Always verify coverage before enrolling in virtual programs.

6. Crisis Hotlines & Specialized Support

  • Washington Recovery Help Line (24/7): 1-866-789-1511

  • King County Crisis Line: 1-866-427-4747

  • NAMI King County Crisis Line: (206) 461-3222

  • Teen Link (6pm-10pm): 1-866-833-6546

  • Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, then press 1

  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

  • NAMI King County Resources: namiskc.org/crisis-info

7. Financial Resources for Crisis Care

Cost should never be a barrier to emergency psychiatric care. If you're concerned about expenses:

  • Washington Apple Health (Medicaid): 1-800-562-3022

  • King County Crisis Diversion Centers: Accept patients regardless of ability to pay

  • Most hospitals offer financial assistance programs and payment plans

  • The No Surprises Act provides protection from unexpected emergency bills

8. How to Use This Directory

  1. Confirm insurance coverage: Call the program's intake line to verify your benefits and understand costs

  2. Match the appropriate level of care: Choose the least restrictive setting that still ensures your safety

  3. Bring your records: Recent clinical notes, current medication list, and recent lab results speed the admission process

  4. Plan your follow-up: Once stabilized, we look forward to resuming your outpatient care at Cognia Health

9. After-Hours Protocol at Cognia Health

We provide care during scheduled appointments only and don't maintain an on-call service. For concerns between appointments:

  1. First assess if you need emergency care using the guidelines above

  2. For non-emergencies, send a secure message through your patient portal

  3. Allow 1-2 business days for response to non-urgent messages

  4. Schedule a follow-up appointment as needed

Legal & Privacy Notices

  • Information Only: These listings are provided for general information. Availability, eligibility, and insurance participation can change without notice.

  • No Endorsements: Cognia Health receives no compensation for referrals and doesn't endorse any specific facility.

  • Privacy Protection: Never send personal health information through unsecured email or web forms. Use secure patient portals or telephone intake lines.

  • Accessibility: We strive to make this content accessible to all. If you need this information in another format, please call our office.

By accessing emergency services rather than waiting for a response from Cognia Health, you're making the appropriate choice for your safety and wellbeing. This aligns with standard psychiatric care protocols and our practice policies as outlined in your informed consent documentation.

Last verified: July 2025
Next scheduled review: Dec 2025