only_because_I_can t1_j4ozq5a wrote on January 17, 2023 at 6:20 AM

In my area, 988 is a longstanding prefix to many numbers. I tried dialing my doctor's office, which has a 988-xxxx number. Same area code as me, so I shouldn't need to enter the area code. Just dial 988-xxxx. I immediately get the suicide prevention line. I'm totally supportive of having this as a means for people to get the help they need, but they should have thought ahead when assigning a local number.

sut123 t1_j4prjlj wrote on January 17, 2023 at 12:15 PM

I could have sworn area codes were mandatory to dial since the mid-90s. Fascinating that it wasn't a national change.

only_because_I_can t1_j4q2fak wrote on January 17, 2023 at 1:55 PM

I'm in Florida. We can dial just the 7-digit number if it's in the same area code. Otherwise, we have to use 1-area code-number. It's weird though because I'm in 813 and some 727 (next county over) numbers won't allow the 1 to be used first whereas other 727 numbers require the 1, depending on the area.