Family health emergencies can make for some difficult decisions. While it is always a parent;s wish to get the best care for a sick or injured child, some of the healthcare decisions can be very expensive. When a fever spikes late in the evening or a soccer injury looks like a broken bone the temptation may be to head straight to the emergency room (ER). And that while have been a viable option 15 years ago, today’s health options are more varied. Instead of seeking emergency care in a hospital, the more economical choice may be to go to an urgent care health clinic.
The Difference Between ER and Urgent Care Cost Can be Significant
Hospital rooms involve a lot of over head expenses. These expenses are passed on to the patients. A health care clinic, on the other hand, provides more affordable care. For instance, the average reimbursement for an urgent care visit is only $103 a patient. This compares to the far more expensive $302 a patient average reimbursement for a hospital emergency department.
In a time when skyrocketing healthcare cost are crippling individual families and entire communities, it makes good sense to make the most affordable choices whenever possible. Instead of going to an expensive ER for after hour injuries and illnesses, families that make economical choices look into the care options available at the closest emergency quick care clinic.
The Length of Wait Times Between ER and Urgent Care Can be Substantial
One of the biggest disadvantages of going to a hospital emergency room is the extensive wait time. Because local police and ambulance agencies bring patients to an emergency all night long, it is often a long wait for patients with less serious patients to get the care that they need. For obvious reasons, ER rooms operate by using a triage format. By prioritizing the patients that most need the care, doctors and other medical staff work their way through all of the patients. In an ER setting, a patient with an injury or illness that is not life threatening will always be cared for after the more critical patients.
For instance, nearly 60% of all urgent care centers have a wait time that is shorter than 15 minutes. In this short amount of time the patient can see a physician or mid-level provider because 65% of all of these clinics have a physician on location at all times. Less time in a waiting room means less time exposed to other patients with other possible illnesses. Getting quick and efficient care should be the goal of anyone who is seeking medical attention.
Both ER and Urgent Care Provide Qualified Doctors and Nurses
As America continues to extend insurance coverage to more and more people, the healthcare system is bracing itself for a shortage in the personnel who can treat patients. Quick care clinics and their versatile settings are working on innovative ways to provide qualified care in more efficient ways. With a number of patient rooms available and physician sharing, these clinics can provide the quality 24/7 that allows more patients to be seen than in the typical primary physician office. Instead of needing to visit a traditional family physician or pediatrician for care or waiting long hours in an ER, health care clinics provide a team of qualified doctors, nurses, and other medical staff members working together.
With x-rays and ultra sound services, many clinics are a great mix of ER offerings and primary care physician settings.
The Future of ER and Urgent Care Cost Services Continues to Evolve
Some of the latest research indicates that the U.S. will be short more than 90,000 physicians by the year 2020. By the year 2025, the shortage is expected to reach 130,000. These statistics provided by the Association of American Medical Colleges are alarming to say the least. As the healthcare system continues to look at new platforms that can provide the necessary services, many indicators show that quick care health clinics will be a big part of the solution.
As the healthcare system continues to work on being more versatile and efficient, patients will look toward the traditional options of ER rooms and primary care physicians and pediatricians.