Emergencies happens and no doubt you are in a panicked state and just want to get care right away. Once the crisis has passed, a new one begins…the bill. Even if you have great health care insurance, the bill from the hospital can be costly. Add a high deductible or no health care insurance, and the cost can hit your bank account severely.
So, which do you choose?
There are generally agreed upon guidelines for seeking care. As always, you need to make the best decision for you or your family members’ needs.
For a minor condition often described as a minor cut, bite, allergic reaction, fever or flu-like symptoms, an urgent care may be a good option based on time and cost.
If your condition is more extreme such as heart pain, stroke, deep cut with bleeding, severe bones or electric shock, going to the ER may be a better option because of the staff and resources available.
Emergency Rooms
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) based on the latest data available, (2016) state that people made 145 million visits and 23 million arrived by ambulance. It was also noted that 43% of admissions to the hospital originated from the ER.
One contributing factor to the high number is according to The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), it is a federal law that requires anyone coming to an emergency department to be stabilized and treated, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.
In addition, health insurance companies are working diligently to educate their membership population to help minimize unnecessary ER visits and make them aware of alternative options especially related to costs. According to a Health Care Cost Institute study, an average emergency room costs $1,389 keeping in mind this dollar amount varies based on treatment.
Scenario: While Suzy (6 years old) was playing with the family cat, she got a scratch on her hand. Her hand swelled, and she was constantly scratching at it, causing minor bleeding. Mom concerned about allergies and the swelling opted to take Suzy to the ER.
An average co-pay for the ER ranges from $100-$250
The average cost for the visit could range, depending on services provided from $650 – $1400.
Urgent Care
Urgent cares are a definite option if your Primary Care Physician (PCP) is unavailable and you don’t believe it warrants an ER visit.
Most urgent cares’ require no appointment and they are usually open 7 days a week with earlier and later hours than your PCP. The staff at an urgent care are a combination of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, family care MD’s and DO’s or ER physicians.
Most urgent cares have the basics that are typically available from your PCP office. They may not have x-ray machines or lab testing, but can treat general issues such as flu shots, vaccines for school-based care, blood sugar tests and putting a cast on a broken bone.
Scenario: Ben was cleaning the gutters and cut his hand on a sharp edge. He cleans the cut and gets the bleeding under control, but realizes that the cut may need some sutures. He opts to go to the local urgent care.
The average copay for the visit could range $25 and $75
The average cost for the visit to an urgent care could range, depending on services provided $150 – $375.
Mobile Option
A newer option is a mobile dispatch service that would come to your home. In this time of COVID-19, not waiting in an urgent care or ER setting is appealing considering the risks to exposure. Yet, there can be some skepticism as to what can be offered, and the quality of care versus what may be provided at an urgent care or ER.
One option could be Dispatch Health, who provides quality care in the comfort of your home. You place a call to them and they confirm that your condition supports a visit to your home. If confirmed that it is an option, they will dispatch a mobile team to your home for care and treatment. Once the visit is complete, they will follow up with prescriptions, updates to your primary care physician and billing your insurance.
Scenario: Sarah takes care of her Mom. While checking in on her, Sarah notices Mom is weak and feeling light-headed. She takes Mom’s blood pressure, and all is good, and after a Q&A with Mom, Sarah uncovers Mom is recovering from the flu, has eaten little and has not drank her allotted amount of water. Sarah is worried about taking Mom to the ER or urgent care because of Mom being in the high risk population if exposed to COVID-19. She opts to call Dispatch Health.
The average copay applied is an urgent care copay which could range $25 and $75
The average cost for the visit from a mobile option could range, depending on services provided from $150 – $375.
Summary
The average urgent care visit costs patients $150-375 for basic care, with additional costs added for shots, x-rays, and labs. The average emergency room visit costs $1,389. The average emergency room has a wait time of 2.4 hours, whereas urgent care centers can see walk-in patients within 15-45 minutes. The mobile option is in most cases the same if you went to an urgent care, but the difference is they provide the services in the safety of your home.
The bottom line is as a consumer you have the power of choice. Be savvy and make the best choice for you and your family.
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As someone who tries to prepare for emergencies and unexpected expenses, this is much appreciated.
Medical emergencies seem to be done if the biggest budget busters, and not everyone has identical access to medical care, so it’s great to know people have options.
Saving this post for later!
Thank you so much for your comments. I am glad it was helpful.
I’m glad to have seen this on our 10K assignment as I not often think of options during emergencies. 2020 has been a year of the unexpected, and this couldn’t have appeared at a perfect time. Thank you for sharing and it’s the first time I’ve heard of a mobile option, so Dispatch Health is on my list. Thank you, Sandy.
I am glad that you found it helpful. I enjoy sharing health care options that I hope help you and your family!