For immigrant and refugee families, learning the U.S. healthcare system can feel overwhelming. You may wonder where to take a sick child, how to find a doctor, or what to do if you do not have insurance.
You are not alone. This guide explains the basics in plain language for families in Omaha and across Nebraska.
Important: This article provides general educational information. It is not medical advice and does not replace care from a qualified healthcare provider. If you believe someone is having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Where should I take my child when they are sick?
The right place depends on how serious the problem is.
Primary care: your regular medical home
Primary care is usually the best place for:
- Routine checkups
- Well-child visits
- Vaccines and immunization records
- Mild illnesses
- Ongoing conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or high blood pressure
- Medication refills
- School and sports forms
- Preventive screenings
A primary care provider may be a family doctor, pediatrician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Your provider gets to know your family’s health history and can help coordinate specialty care when needed.
If your child has a mild fever, cough, ear pain, or another concern but is breathing comfortably and acting normally, call your child’s primary care clinic first. Ask whether the clinic has same-day appointments or telephone advice.
Urgent care: for problems that cannot wait
Urgent care is for health problems that need attention soon but are not life-threatening.
Examples may include:
- A minor cut that may need stitches
- A sprain or minor injury
- A mild asthma flare
- A fever or infection that needs same-day evaluation
- Vomiting or diarrhea when the child is not severely dehydrated
Urgent care may be useful when your primary care office is closed or cannot offer an appointment soon. However, urgent care clinics may not have your complete medical history.
The emergency room: for emergencies
Go to the emergency room or call 911 for serious or life-threatening symptoms, such as:
- Trouble breathing
- Severe chest pain
- Unresponsiveness or confusion
- Severe bleeding
- A serious injury
- A seizure
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction
- Severe dehydration
- A sudden, serious change in your child’s condition
An emergency room is always the correct choice for an emergency. Under federal emergency-care protections, a hospital emergency department must provide an appropriate medical screening exam and stabilizing treatment for an emergency condition, regardless of insurance, ability to pay, or citizenship status. A hospital cannot delay emergency screening in order to ask about payment or immigration status.
Learn more from CMS information about emergency room rights.
How to find a primary care provider in Nebraska
If your family does not have a regular doctor, start by looking for a community health center or primary care clinic.
Community health centers can be a helpful option for families who are uninsured or concerned about cost. Many offer primary care, pediatric care, behavioral health services, vaccines, and other support. Ask the clinic:
- Do you accept my insurance?
- Do you see patients without insurance?
- Do you offer a sliding-scale or reduced-cost fee?
- What documents should I bring?
- Can I request a free interpreter?
- Are you accepting new patients?
- Can you help my child with school or sports forms?
You can use the federal Health Resources and Services Administration health center finder to look for a community health center near you.
AIFS Community Health Workers and Health Navigators can also help families understand their options, schedule appointments, find affordable clinics, and prepare for visits. Visit the AIFS Refugee and Immigrant Health program to learn more.
What to bring to a first appointment
Bring what you have. Do not delay care because you are missing one document.
Helpful items include:
- Identification, if available
- Your insurance card, if you have one
- A list of current medications and supplements
- Immunization records
- Previous medical records
- A list of allergies
- Questions about your child’s health
- School, sports, or childcare forms
For children, bring information about past illnesses, hospital visits, surgeries, allergies, and vaccines. If records are not in English, bring them anyway. The clinic can explain what information is needed.
Before leaving, ask the provider to explain the next steps. You can ask for written instructions in a language you understand.
You can request a free medical interpreter
You have the right to request a qualified medical interpreter for healthcare appointments when language assistance is needed. The interpreter should be provided at no cost to you by a covered healthcare provider.
Request an interpreter when you schedule the appointment. You can say:
“I need a free medical interpreter in French, Swahili, Arabic, or my preferred language.”
You can also ask for an interpreter when you arrive. Interpretation may be in person, by phone, or by video.
Do not feel embarrassed about asking. Clear communication helps protect your family’s health. Avoid using children as interpreters, especially for serious, private, or complex medical discussions.
You may also ask whether a provider or interpreter of the same gender is available if that would make you more comfortable. The clinic may not always be able to meet every request, but it is okay to ask.
Learn more about language access from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Questions to ask about prescriptions and treatment
Healthcare practices can differ from one country to another. Some families may be used to receiving injections or fast-acting treatments. In the United States, a provider may recommend a different treatment based on the diagnosis, the patient’s age, risks, or medical history.
It is always okay to ask questions, including:
- What is this medicine for?
- How quickly should it work?
- How should I take it?
- Should I take it with food?
- What side effects should I watch for?
- What should I do if it is not working?
- Can this medicine be taken with other medicines?
- Is there a lower-cost version?
- When should we follow up?
Ask the pharmacist to use plain language. If you do not understand the instructions, ask for an explanation again. Never share prescription medicine between family members unless a qualified provider tells you to do so.
Preventive care helps families stay healthier
Preventive care means seeking care before a problem becomes an emergency. It may include:
- Annual checkups
- Blood pressure and blood sugar checks
- Recommended cancer screenings
- Vaccines
- Mental health screenings
- Vision and hearing checks
- Dental visits
- Pregnancy and postpartum care
Finding health concerns early can make treatment easier. Regular visits also give families time to ask questions about sleep, nutrition, stress, physical activity, and chronic conditions.
For children, well-child visits help monitor growth, development, learning, behavior, and overall health. Ask your child’s provider about:
- Developmental screenings
- Vaccines
- Vision and hearing testing
- School health forms
- Sports physicals
- Dental care
- Mental and emotional wellbeing
Children should see a dentist regularly. If cost is a concern, ask your primary care clinic, community health center, school, or local navigator about low-cost dental options.
AIFS can help you take the next step
The AIFS Health Screening & Education Center offers free screenings, health education, and healthcare navigation support. Community Health Workers can help families connect with providers and understand what to do after a screening.
AIFS health programs are designed to be culturally respectful and accessible to immigrant and refugee families. Families may ask for support in English, French, Swahili, Arabic, or another preferred language. Please contact AIFS to confirm current language availability and appointment details.
If you need help understanding health insurance, you can also explore AIFS resources on healthcare and immigrant health navigation. A related AIFS guide on Understanding Health Insurance in Nebraska is also planned for families who want help comparing coverage, costs, and questions to ask about a health plan.
Check Medicaid information before October 1, 2026
Nebraska Medicaid eligibility rules for some immigrants and other applicants are scheduled to change on October 1, 2026. Families should verify their status with official Nebraska sources before that date.
Do not rely only on a social media post or an old letter. Check the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid information, review notices carefully, and ask a trusted navigator for help understanding your situation.
You can also read AIFS’s current Nebraska Medicaid work requirements update. A separate AIFS resource on Medicaid & SNAP Changes in Nebraska should be linked here once its approved webpage is published.
Watch Better Health Habits
AIFS WEB TV’s Better Health Habits, Episode 1, is called “Finding Your Way: Understanding the American Healthcare System.” The episode is hosted by Dr. Grace Mabiala-Maye and features guest Dr. John Ukadike.
It discusses practical questions that many newcomer families have:
- Where should you go when you are sick?
- What is the difference between primary care, urgent care, and the emergency room?
- Why is it helpful to establish a medical home?
- How can families ask questions about cost and treatment?
- Why should people not wait too long to seek care?
Watch Better Health Habits on AIFS WEB TV and explore the AIFS WEB TV health and wellness channel.
A related watch is the AIFS WEB TV episode featuring OneWorld Community Health Center and Dr. Melanie Menning. Check the current AIFS WEB TV episode library for availability.
You do not have to navigate healthcare alone
Healthcare becomes easier when families know where to start, what questions to ask, and who can help.
For AIFS health navigation support, contact:
- Email: contact@aifs-usa.org
- Phone: 402-505-3907
You can also explore AIFS programs and the One Community. One Home. campaign. The campaign page URL was not available in the current website index and should be verified before publication.
Whether you are looking for a doctor, preparing for your child’s appointment, or trying to understand a health notice, asking for help is a strong first step. AIFS is here to help immigrant and refugee families build health, confidence, and connection across Omaha and Nebraska.
