Researchers analyzed ED visit data for 11 minor health conditions at more than 2,000 EDs in 23 states between 2007 and 2021.
Here are four highlights:
1. Researchers noted a very marginal decrease in ED visits by privately insured patients with minor issues, but did not see a drop for patients with other insurance.
2. The healthcare industry could reap big savings, up to $4 billion annually, by moving cases for low-level conditions out of the ED into retail or urgent care clinics.
3. Due to the potential savings, payers and employers have encouraged patients to utilize retail health clinics by offering coverage for such visits. Sometimes, payers will waive copayments if patients opt to visit retail clinics, as opposed to EDs.
4. However, the study’s findings suggest payers may want to employ a different approach as many patients only go to retail clinics if they are convenient or may even forgo care.
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